A group of Torontonians who are dissatisfied with the results of the U.S. election held a protest in Nathan Phillips Square Sunday.
About 100 people gathered at the downtown square at 4 p.m. and later marched to the U.S. consulate, where a rally was held.
“I just wanted to join up with other people who were as distressed as I was by the election in the United States,” participant Lisa North told CP24. “It’s terrible when a man who lies, who is a misogynist, who is a racist openly so, who is irrational – gets elected President of the United States. It’s devastating.”
She said she expects that large protests being held around the world will send a signal to Trump and the U.S. government that people are concerned about the policy agenda that he has proposed.
“I think that we are sending a message that people in Congress and even Trump perhaps is capable of hearing,” North said. “I hope there’s enough humanity in him and enough reason that he’s capable of hearing and seeing what protestors have to say.”
Protestors waived signs and chanted, but the event proceeded without incident.
In a Facebook post about the protest, organizers said the event is a “show of solidarity with those who will be affected by the most recent change in leadership in the United States.”
“These results have already had a deep impact on people's safety. Folks are feeling unsafe, threatened, and unwelcome in a place whose population has just demonstrated how little it cares,” the social media post read.
“Stand with us, and show those affected that they are loved, cared for, and supported.”
Similar protests have been held across U.S. cities and around the world since Trump beat Democrat Hillary Clinton to win the White House earlier this week. Some of the protests have decried the electoral college system which allowed Trump to win the presidency even though more people across the U.S. voted for Clinton.
The group is also planning another peaceful protest for Nov. 19.
