As of last night, tens of thousands of protesters have gathered at the nation’s largest and busiest airports to protest President Trump’s vile and selfish order, banning citizens of 7 predominantly Muslim countries such as Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Syria, and Sudan for 90 days. He also banned all refugees from entering the United States for 120 days at minimum.
NEW YORK CITY
As twelve refugees were detained at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), thousands of protesters swarmed the airport and the New York coalition helped spread news of the protest.
More people showed up to Terminal 4 at JFK to protest the #MuslimBan than showed up to Donald Trump’s inauguration. #noban pic.twitter.com/BxdsMs9HAu
— Frank B. Esposito ? (@FBEsposito) January 29, 2017
Andrew Cuomo, New York’s governor said in a statement, “I never thought I’d see the day when refugees, who have fled war-torn countries in search of a better life, would be turned away at our doorstep. … This is not who we are, and not who we should be,”
I have directed Port Authority, @NYSDOS, & my Counsel’s Office to jointly explore all legal options to assist anyone detained at NY airports pic.twitter.com/AT8p3rstsD
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 28, 2017
LOS ANGELES
As 7 refugees were detained last night at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and the Los Angeles Times reports that 2 people were deported and that those who were detained were PERMANENT residents, and HAD legitimate visas. The protest accumulated about 300 people last night, but as of this morning, it’s now 6 or 7 times that.
Outside it’s a street celebration of defiance and inclusiveness. #laxprotest pic.twitter.com/lsD5uRQfVe
— Leighton Woodhouse (@lwoodhouse) January 29, 2017
Crowds at #laxprotest are lively but remaining peaceful pic.twitter.com/ms3KRH2gwn
— MarieTargonskiOBrien (@MarieTargonskiO) January 29, 2017
WASHINGTON D.C.
Protesters swarmed the international terminal of Dulles International Airport (IAD) located in Virginia but serves Washington D.C.
“This land is made for you and me” song started by Muslim woman at the #Dulles protest. #MuslimBan pic.twitter.com/JwKWJUAaZF
— Mohamed Soltan (@soltanlife) January 29, 2017
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe released a press statement, saying he urges President Trump to retract the policy. “In the meantime, my administration will work with Attorney General Mark Herring to identify any and all legal steps we can take to oppose this dangerous and divisive policy,”
CHICAGO
According to the Chicago Tribune, over a dozen people were detained at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Thousands stood outside the international terminal demanding the people detained, be released immediately.
Tonight’s protest against Trump’s immigrant and refugee ban at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. pic.twitter.com/dtp1nwX3VT
— Jacobin (@jacobinmag) January 29, 2017
VIDEO: “From Palestine to Mexico all the walls have got to go.” Chicago O’Hare protest. #MuslimBan pic.twitter.com/kO27EhzvQY
— Ali Abunimah (@AliAbunimah) January 29, 2017
SEATTLE
As of this morning, over 3000 people had gathered at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), where the radio station KUOW claims that 13 people have been detained. Seattle is a booming tech city, and Microsoft claims that almost 80 of its employees could be affected by this ban, and Amazon strictly warned its employees to not leave the United States at this time. Other companies such as Apple, Google, Facebook, and Netflix had a response to President Trumps’ ban as well.
#Seattle airport is one of the main spots of the #NoBanNoWall protest #States #airportprotestpic.twitter.com/VMaAySN3Zc
Credits @joshtrujillo— Federico Di Leo (@Fe_DiLeo) January 29, 2017
BOSTON
Marty Walsh, the mayor of Boston, asked protesters to join him in protesting against President Trump’s order last night at Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS), and today at Boston’s Copley Square.
We’ll fight today, and we’ll fight tomorrow. Join us at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Copley Square. pic.twitter.com/zrH3cd2eXl
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) January 29, 2017
Boston is a compassionate, strong & welcoming city, and we will never turn our backs on those who helped build our country #StandUpFightBack pic.twitter.com/YIuwgJCesP
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) January 29, 2017
Public Figure and Massachusetts Senator, Elizabeth Warren, also made an appearance at the protest at Logan International Airport last night, and at Copley Square this afternoon.
Other notable protests took place at San Diego International Airport (SAN), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and Portland International Airport (PDX). It is extremely important during these times, that the American people continue to fight against President Trump’s xenophobic policies and stand up for what is right. #HeWillNotDivideUs