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Chants of “Hate is wrong! Equal rights!” and “Not my president!” rang through the air Friday night at the Boston Common, where thousands turned out in protest of President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Approximately 4,000 people of varying ages and cultural backgrounds surrounded the Parkman Bandstand, a landmark platform located on the eastern side of the Boston Common to participate in a rally dubbed Resist Trump: Occupy Inauguration Boston.
After an hour of protesting, organizers began the march toward the Massachusetts State House and Boston City Hall, holding picket signs with slogans such as “Protect Trans Lives Under Trump!” and “Tax the Rich #resist Trump.”
During the march, drums and songs, such as “This Land Is Your Land” and “Respect,” played over a loudspeaker.
Joseph Sugrue, a member of the Boston Socialist Alternative, one of the hosting organizations of the rally, told The Daily Free Press that the rally’s main purpose was to mobilize the anger people are feeling over Trump’s election.
“I believe that mass protests boost the morale of those who are willing to resist the establishment and provide entry points to independent politics,” Sugrue said.
Sugrue said he believes demonstrations like this, alongside more traditional methods, are an important and necessary part of getting involved in politics.
“I don’t think the best way for us to engage in society is to only vote and to only do work at the ballot box, but instead we need to be engaging with our society and bettering ourselves and others on a consistent basis,” Sugrue said. “I think the more people that come to that realization, the better.”
Sugrue highlighted the importance of mass protests as a form of political expression.
“Mass protests like this have historically proven themselves to be effective tools in fighting against marginalization, discrimination and other forms of oppression that people endure under capitalism and will certainly endure under the Trump administration,” Sugrue said.
In addition to the Boston Socialist Alternative, hosting groups such as Boston Movement for the 99%, Boston Socialist Students, Massachusetts Peace Action, Boston May Day Committee and Boston Feminists for Liberation, were present at the rally.
Several protesters expressed feelings of solidarity with those who may be negatively impacted by the Trump administration, as well as their desires to send a message to the new president.
Courtney Paul, 31, of Roslindale, said she believes rallies like this one can be a way for like-minded people to band together.
“I hope more people feel like they’re on the same page and we can come together and figure out something else,” Paul said.
Jonna Grimsby, 40, of Dorchester, said she came to the rally to express her feelings of distress after Trump’s election.
“I’m here because I feel helpless and I want to be surrounded by other people that feel the same way,” Grimsby said. “I want to make a statement. If enough people all over the world show how upset they are, hopefully Trump can at least get a glimpse of how angry we are, although he doesn’t seem to take hints.”
Isaac Feldburg, 20, of Sudbury, said he hopes the rally will convey a message to the new president.
“I want Donald Trump to see that rallies like this are happening across the country,” Feldburg said. “Maybe then he will be able to change his bigoted mentality.”
