Trump Protests Sparked Around the Globe

Both critics and supporters were amassing Saturday near President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where he is spending the weekend

Protests of President Donald Trump and his executive order barring immigration from select countries formed in cities across the U.S. and in London for a second straight weekend Saturday. 

In New York, hundreds of people from the LGBTQ community gathered in lower Manhattan to rally in solidarity with those impacted by Trump's executive orders.

Hundreds of protesters organized by the Lambda Independent Democrats, an LGBTQ political club, marched near the historic Stonewall Inn. 

In Miami, demonstrators rallied at Bayfront Park Saturday afternoon against Trump’s immigration order.

Meanwhile, in nearby Palm Beach, President Trump is spending his first weekend at his Mar-a-Lago estate since taking office two weeks ago. Both supporters and protesters of President Donald Trump were gathering outside Trump Plaza, a luxury waterfront condo building in West Palm Beach, on Saturday.

They are expected to march two miles to the president's estate.

In Philadelphia, hundreds of protesters, many accompanied by children and wearing heavy jackets, scarves and caps to protect against the bitter cold, gathered across the street from Philadelphia's City Hall.

A group of approximately 100 protesters took to the streets Saturday afternoon, at one point blocking traffic on the city's Route 34 connector. Police moved the marchers to the side of the road to clear a path for traffic.

They held signs, many saying "No Ban No Wall," and cheered as speakers excoriated the president's executive order from last week that suspends America's refugee program and halts immigration to the U.S. from seven Muslim-majority countries.

The demonstrators later made their way through city streets as police closed off traffic to allow the march.

Hundreds of people attended Saturday's "sanctuary cities" and inclusion rally in Somerville, Massachusetts.

Somerville is among one of many cities that protects immigrants who are in the United States illegally.

President Donald Trump recently threatened to cut off millions in federal funding to such communities. Many cities like Somerville and Boston have vowed to take legal action, arguing that the threatened punishment would be unconstitutional.

In Houston, Texas, an organization named Resist Houston led marchers through downtown Houston on Saturday.

And on the West Coast, demonstrations both for and against the travel ban were happening at Los Angeles International Airport Saturday.

A group called "SF United Against Trump" organized a meeting at the Women's Builing in San Francisco, California. The four organizers are children of refugees and immigrants, who wrote, "The intention of this event is to create space for our community to voice our beautiful stories and tribulations."

In the U.K., thousands of protesters marched on Parliament in London to demand that the British government withdraw its invitation to U.S. President Donald Trump for a state visit.

Criticism of Conservative British Prime Minister Theresa May has swelled since her Washington visit to meet Trump last month, when she confirmed plans for a return visit by Trump to Britain expected in the summer.

Saturday's demonstration in the British capital involved a two-mile march of several thousand people from the U.S. embassy to the Houses of Parliament. Protesters chanted "Theresa May, shame on you!"

Lawmakers are expected to debate British plans to invite Trump later this month. An online petition calling for May to rescind the invite has attracted strong support, but May insists a Trump visit is welcome.

The U.S. government on Saturday suspended enforcement of the refugee and immigration ban and scurried to appeal a judge's order that blocked the ban, plunging the new administration into a crisis that has challenged Trump's authority — and ability to fulfill campaign promises.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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