Erie residents protest Trump

Erie+residents+John+Morton%2C+Georgana+Ely+and+Tim+Reim+protest+the+election+of+Donald+Trump+near+Bicentennial+Tower+in+Erie%2C+Pennsylvania%2C+on+Sunday%2C+Nov.+13%2C+2016.+

Joseph Tingley

Erie residents John Morton, Georgana Ely and Tim Reim protest the election of Donald Trump near Bicentennial Tower in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016.

A group of more than 40 protesters gathered at Bicentennial Tower in Erie, Pennsylvania on Nov. 13, 2016, to march against the election of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States. Protesters of all ages marched for about an hour, starting at 5 p.m.

“I think it’s important to voice  discontent even though this is a fairly small group,” said Katie DiPrinzio, one of the demonstrators.

Some of the protesters, like DiPrinzio heard about the march from an article they read online announcing it. DiPrinzio said she had read the article, and then heard the protest was canceled. She decided to come anyway.

“I figured you can’t stop people from just gathering,” DiPrinzio said.

Being from Erie, DiPrinzio said the her fellow residents could stand to voice their discontent more.

“I think Erie is a pretty silent city,” DiPrinzio said.

DiPrinzio led one of several chants. Some of these  included  “Donald Trump has got to go,” “Not my president” and “Love Trumps Hate.” The protesters also sang patriotic songs as they marched.

As the marchers prepared to begin their demonstration on the streets of Erie, two trucks flying Trump campaign flags made at least three circuits around the tower the demonstrators were gathered at, eventually parking nearby. The men in the trucks said nothing as the protesters passed.

Tim Reim, an Erie resident, said he came to participate in the march to stand against what he felt was the hate-filled rhetoric of the Trump campaign. He said despite the feelings of many, he sees this as a chance for the country to come together.

Protesters begin their march through the streets of Erie, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016.
Angela Mauroni
Protesters begin their march through the streets of Erie, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016.

“The politics of fear and hate never last long,” Reim said.

As protesters marched through the streets of Erie, some cars honked in support while at least one stopped to hurl insults.

One bystander accused the demonstrators of perpetuating hate themselves and said they should respect the fact that Trump won the election.

Georgana Ely, another Erie resident, said the election of Trump is an embarrassment to the country. She said prior to the election, while she was abroad, she met many people who questioned why he was allowed to run. She said she never expected him to win.

“I think we are all in a state of disbelief over the election,” Ely said.

Heather Garczynski, who did not organize the event but spoke at its conclusion, said for a spur of the moment demonstration, she was pleased with the turnout. She said she was proud of those who showed up for making an event out of a “non-event.”