Thursday, January 20, 2017: New York City
By: APB Staff Writer
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Hollywood celebrities, New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio, along with thousands of protesters hoisting placards and chanting slogans in opposition to the incoming 45th President of the United States made their presence known outside of the Trump International Hotel in Columbus Circle on Thursday night.
The event titled, “United We Stand,” also combined political rhetoric and satire as Alec Baldwin rendered his now signature Saturday Night Live Donald Trump imitation.
However in a more serious tone, Baldwin recited a warning to his many local fans in attendance noting that “Donald Trump and Steve Bannon and Mike Pence and all these people that are part of the Trump Administration, they think that you are gonna lay down. The one thing they don’t realize is that New Yorkers never lay down!”
Among the speakers and notable participants included Mark Ruffalo, Robert De Niro, Rosie Perez, Michael Moore, Cher, Reverend Al Sharpton, Sally Field, New York City’s first lady Chirlane McCray, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Shailene Woodley, Marisa Tomei and Julianne Moore.
The event began at 6:00 PM and stretched over six blocks on Central Park West.
De Niro recited “imaginary tweets” from Trump.Moore told the crowd that “it was a very dangerous time in the United States,” and called for “100 days of protest.” Moore urged the crowd to call Congress every day to voice their concerns.
From the stage, Mayor De Blasio encouraged New Yorkers to “build a movement” following the inauguration. “Tomorrow, Donald Trump will have power. But tomorrow, you will have power as well. Donald Trump may control the agenda in Washington, but we control our destiny as Americans….”
According to event organizers, an estimated 25,000 people attended. The NYPD kept the protesters and onlookers safe as they listened to the speeches bellowing from several large amplifiers and projections on a massive screen behind the stage.
The rally culminated with alternative rock singer Natalie Merchant rendering “This Land is Your Land.”