LGBT Solidarity Rally brings thousands to Stonewall Inn against Trump (pics)
Protests against Donald Trump and his executive orders, most notably his Muslim ban, have broken out nationwide since his inauguration just over two weeks ago. The Women's March brought out over a million protesters worldwide, to Washington DC, New York City, Chicago, and elsewhere. Several smaller protests have happened in New York City over the past couple of weeks as well, each bringing out hundreds and thousands of people, in places like Washington Square Park, JFK Airport, and Battery Park. On Thursday over a thousand bodegas closed in protest while their owners gathered at Brooklyn Borough Hall. This afternoon brought thousands to Stonewall Inn for a rally organized by Lambda Independent Democrats, over a dozen advocacy groups, and local politicians, many of whom spoke. The LGBT Solidarity Rally's stated mission was as follows:
Join us in front of the Stonewall Inn as we stand in solidarity with every immigrant, asylum seeker, refugee and every person impacted by Donald Trump's illegal, immoral, unconstitutional and un-American executive orders. We will also speak out against Trump's selection of the most anti-LGBT nominees and appointees in modern history.
The Stonewall Inn is the first national monument to gay rights, and its history includes the Stonewall riots in June of 1969. In 2016, mourners gathered there for a vigil in memory of the victims of the shooting at Orlando's Pulse nightclub.
Speakers at today's rally included actress Cynthia Nixon, Omar Sharif Jr., NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, who led the crowd in a chant of "Dump Trump!" Watch that below. Check out pictures from the rally in the gallery above.
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photos by Amanda Hatfield