Anti-Trump Protesters March Through Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Groups from around the Twin Cities have been protesting throughout the day Friday against President Donald Trump.
About 2,000 demonstrators marched to Minneapolis City Hall for a rally that began at about 5 p.m.
The protest is a coalition of more than 70 local organizations including students and supporters of Black Lives Matter.
It is the end point of a full day of protests against Trump, which began with a walk out at the University of Minnesota.
Hundreds of students gathered at the U of M's West Bank in front of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at about 1 p.m. They chanted and carried anti-Trump signs.
They then marched down 19th Avenue, eventually meeting up with Augsburg College students as well.
Meanwhile, a separate rally was held in south Minneapolis at Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue before also marching. All of the protesters would eventually end up at City Hall.
WCCO's Kate Raddatz talked to protesters about what they hoped to accomplish by pushing back against the new presidential administration.
"I'm hoping to encourage people to participate in politics more," one protester said. "I think that the reason that this happened is because people have been very indifferent because they feel like the political system doesn't support their needs or wants and I think that the number one way to get that to happen is to actually get out and do something about it."
Several of the protesters said they did accept Trump as their president, but said they will always stand against any rhetoric of racism, sexism or xenophobia.
While the crowd was large and passionate, things remained peaceful. Minneapolis police say no arrests were made, and the protest began to dissipate by about 6:30 p.m.
