‘Emergency Protest’ Against President-Elect Donald Trump Planned in Tampa

TAMPA, FL — Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has conceded the election to Donald Trump, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s willing to accept the Republican’s victory.

Demonstrating that point, Students for a Democratic Society has announced an “emergency protest” against newly minted President-Elect Trump. Set to take place Thursday, protesters are being urged to meet at the Gibbons Federal Courthouse, 801 N. Florida Ave., in Tampa at 6 p.m. Nov. 10.

“Donald Trump was just elected President of the United States. Many are shocked, many are scared, many are angry, and rightfully so,” the group wrote on Facebook. “But Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) does not believe that now is the time to lay down in defeat; now is the most important time to fight back!”

SDS says its aim is to send the message that “we will not allow racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and all other forms of oppression,” according to the event announcement.

The page features a cover photo that calls Trump racist, sexist and anti-gay.

The New York Times in April pointed out Trump’s stand on gay issues may actually set him apart from many in the Republican Party.

“But Mr. Trump is far more accepting of sexual minorities than his party’s leaders have been,” Maggie Haberman wrote. She went on to point out Trump’s opposition of the North Carolina law that prohibits people from using bathrooms that don’t match their gender at birth.

Trump has said transgender people should “use the bathroom they feel is appropriate,” Hamberman noted. Trump’s belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman, however, has added fuel to the fire raging against him despite his once-stated support of amending the 1964 Civil Rights Act to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Trump’s election has stirred up protests across the country. Chants of “Not Our President” have gone up in New York, Boston, Seattle and elsewhere since his win was announced. A small protest was also staged in Tampa’s Ybor City Wednesday night.

Thursday night’s protest in Tampa is scheduled to run until 8 p.m. As of 11:30 a.m., about 200 people had indicated an interest in attending.

To find out more about the protest, visit Students for a Democratic Society on Facebook.

Patch photo via Rick Uldricks