Williamstown Joins Nationwide Protests Against Trump
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Nearly one week ago, Donald J. Trump was elected president of the United States.
On Saturday morning in Williamstown, a group of several hundred students and community members joined protesters all over the country in denouncing the results of the election.
Demonstrators of all ages filled Field Park with signs reading "Not Our President," "Love Trumps Hate" and "Black Lives Matter." Cars driving by honked, eliciting cheers from those at the demonstration, which was organized by North Berkshires for Racial Justice in conjunction with students and staff from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Williams College, Buxton School, and other community members.
"I hope that people who weren't active before will use this as a jumping off point," Jane Berger of North Berkshire for Racial Justice said Monday. "It is important to stay angry and fight the temptation to return to business as usual. That sort of privilege is what brought us here in the first place."
iBerkshires.com posted some pictures of the protest to Facebook, which immediately started filling up with comments criticizing the protesters.
"Why don't you all put that energy to work doing something positive for the community. Go out and support our veterans or help with the homeless or donate your time serving meals to the less fortunate, grow up," one commenter said.
"Anti democratic communists protesting. People like that used to be called enemies of our country and traitors and were punished as such," another said on Facebook.
Indeed, Trump himself denounced the demonstrations, first on Twitter claiming the protesters were incited by and paid by the media, then expressing admiration for their passion for the country, before telling CBS' Lesley Stahl on "60 Minutes" on Sunday night that he thinks it's "horrible" and blaming "the press."
Protests were held Sunday in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia and more cities. Protests in Portand, Ore., saw some violence, but overall reports show the majority of demonstrations have been peaceful.
Many are protesting not just the election of Trump and his campaign rhetoric, but the incidents of racial unrest in the aftermath of the election attributed to Trump supporters, accused of harassing Latinos and Muslims. Trump also told Stahl on "60 Minutes" he wanted to see that end, as well.
"I am so saddened to hear that," he said. "And I say, 'Stop it.' If it — if it helps, I will say this, and I will say right to the cameras: 'Stop it.'"
As we reminded our Facebook readers, the First Amendment to the Constitution prohibits Congress from enacting legislation that would abridge the right of the people to assemble peaceably. The Fourteenth Amendment makes this prohibition applicable to state governments. According to the ACLU, "the right to join with fellow citizens in protest or peaceful assembly is critical to a functioning democracy and at the core of the First Amendment."
Some of the Facebook comments reflected that sentiment.
"These people (and 2million more) who did not support this racist, misogynist, bigot's campaign of hate and fear. They are exercising their freedom under the constitution [sic]. That's still in effect, at least for the time being. The message is being sent to the president-elect and the rest of the world that his values do not reflect those of everyone in this country," one Facebook commenter wrote.
"So proud that we live in a country that allows FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND ASSEMBLY," another wrote.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who ran an unsuccessful primary campaign against eventual Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, said on Sunday that he hopes the demonstrations send a clear message to Trump that the people of America will not tolerate hatred from his administration or his supporters.
"We have a First Amendment. People are angry. People are upset. And they want to express their point of view that they are very frightened, in very, very strong disagreement with Mr. Trump, who has made bigotry the cornerstone of his campaign. ...
"I think that people are saying, 'Mr. Trump, we have come too far in this country fighting discrimination and bigotry. We’re not going back," Sanders continued. "And if you’re going to continue that effort, you’re going to have to take us on.'"
Locally, Berger said North Berkshires for Racial Justice will be holding another meeting soon to discuss future endeavors, which will be posted on its Facebook page.
Tags: election 2016, protests, trump,
