Demonstrations erupted in at least 10 cities following Donald Trump’s shocking election as the 45th US president.
Social media was also set ablaze as numerous faculty leaders and college students came up with support groups and even postponed exams.
The enraged anti-Trump protesters argued that the president-elect had made xenophobia, sexism and racism almost acceptable in mainstream circles and this was simply unacceptable.
Although the demonstrations have mostly been peaceful, at least 124 arrests have been reported. Several areas have also experienced cases of injuries, vandalism and damages.
The main cities that have witnessed the demonstrations include: Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, Boston, St. Paul, Portland, Ore., Philadelphia, Minnesota among others.
In Los Angeles, demonstrators blocked traffic by sitting on the 110 and 101 highway interchange. Police in riot gear had a hard time controlling the crowd and according to a local CBS affiliate, some 13 protesters were arrested.
In Washington, D.C., protestors came out in their hundreds with signs that shouted “White Males for Equality for All” and “Nasty Women Fight Back.”
In Chicago; a city where Clinton enjoys overwhelming support, an estimated 1,800 people demonstrated while chanting “No Trump! No KKK! No racist USA” outside the Trump International Hotel and Tower.
Chicago police stopped the demonstrators by closing the area. There were no cases of violence and arrests in this city.
In New York, protesters gathered outside the Trump Tower, Wednesday night, chanting, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Donald Trump has got to go,” “p—y grabs back and “Not my president.” One of the female protesters was topless while another watched from the top of a tree.
According to WABC, the New York City demonstrations involved at least 10,000 people and at least 65 people were taken into custody.
In Oakland, police reported that more than 6,000 people were involved in burning trash in the middle of an intersection, blocking traffic, smashing store front windows and setting off fireworks.
Police in riot gear were forced to respond with chemical irritants after protesters hurled objects at them.
According to the spokesperson for the Oakland Police Department, Johnna Watson, two of the Oakland police officers were injured while two police squad cars were damaged.
In Oregon, dozens of anti-Trump protesters burned American flags, forced train delays as well as blocking traffic. Trump supporters used signs to taunt the protesters. At some point, a Trump supporter was hit in the back with a skateboard while running from the demonstrators, however, others intervened.
While most of the demonstrators admitted that the protests could not reverse the election results, they said that their actions would go a long way in shaping the future.
Across the US, universities as well as a few high schools have also organized post-election civil disobedience. Some teachers have offered their support to the demonstrating students, with some even going as far as postponing exams. Student unions offered meditation, discussion sessions as well tea.
It remains to be seen how this demonstrations will shape the future of the US, especially considering that the fiercely contested election between Clinton and Trump has left the nation deeply divided.
