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SCRANTON — While Donald Trump was holding up his right hand to take the Oath of Office as president of the United States on Friday, a group of more than 100 protesters stood on Courthouse Square in Scranton, listening to a variety of speakers.
The group then marched signed petitions to the local offices of Pennsylvania’s two senators.
Sponsored by the NEPA Industrial Workers of the World, multiple groups and individuals stood on Courthouse Square and questioned the crowd as to what they believe Trump’s plans are for issues like immigration, Obamacare, women’s health, the environment and more.
Cheers could be heard from more than a block away.
One of the first groups to take a stand was Action Together of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Brian Fanelli, co-lead for the group’s Scranton chapter, took talked about the importance of coming together — and staying together — in order to resist Trump and his administration. Fanelli told the crowd that one way to stay on top of government is to call local and state legislators.
“One good thing that came out of this (election) was that people have gotten engaged,” he said. “Now, they have to stay engaged.”
Many of the protesters were engaged during the rally, bringing and holding up handmade signs as they cheered and jeered on different subjects speakers brought up.
With posters bearing words such as “Denounce Drumf” to “No human is illegal” and even “Donald Trump is vulgar, stupid and dishonest,” each protester had their own concerns, opinions and reasons as to why the billionaire business mogul should not be the nation’s 45th president.
One of the younger protesters was 4-year-old Maeve Hourihane. She came with her mother, Anne Stopper, of Clarks Summit, holding a large orange poster that read “UnPresidented” in black marker. Stopper said she felt compelled to come to the protest because Trump is a threat to democratic ideals and institutions.
“I feel that Donald Trump is unfit for the office,” she said. “I was very worried, and I continue to be very worried. I feel like this is not my President.”
