WEST PALM BEACH, United States – At least 2,000 people marched Saturday near President Donald Trump’s Florida golf club, voicing outrage at his executive order to bar refugees and travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were attending the annual Red Cross ball at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s ‘‘Winter White House,’’ located in an upscale area on Florida’s east coast.
‘‘You know, my father fought World War II,’’ protestor Rob Resaid said. ‘‘For years and years, so many people fought for freedom in this country and now it’s being taken away.’’
‘‘We have to stand now before all of our rights are taken away, before we become the pariah of the world.’’
Marchers chanted ‘‘This is what democracy looks like,’’ and ‘‘No ban, no wall,’’ referring to Trump’s plan to build a wall on the US-Mexican border.
In an executive order issued on January 27, Trump slapped a blanket ban on nationals of seven mainly Muslim countries – Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen – barring their entry to the United States for 90 days.
Refugees were also barred from entry for 120 days, except those from Syria, who were blocked indefinitely.
On Friday, a US federal judge suspended the ban, a move which the Republican president – who took office on January 20 – condemned and vowed to fight.
The US Justice Department said Saturday it was appealing the judge’s suspension.
The protest in West Palm Beach was just one of several staged in cities around the world Saturday to voice outrage to Trump’s travel ban.
The biggest demonstration by far took place in the British capital, where an estimated 10,000 people turned out, chanting ‘‘Theresa May: Shame on You’’ to denounce the British prime minister’s support for the new US leader.
Brandishing placards declaring ‘‘No to scapegoating Muslims’’ and ‘’Socialism not Trumpism,’’ the protesters moved from the US Embassy toward May’s Downing St. office.
About 3,000 people demonstrated in New York, Trump’s hometown where protests against the property magnate-turned-world leader take place almost daily.
Activists and supporters gathered outside the historic Stonewall Inn, a landmark of the gay rights movement in New York’s Greenwich Village, to show support for Muslims and others affected by Trump’s immigration order.
Democratic Senate minority leader Charles Schumer led the crowd – which carried rainbow flags and Americans flags – in cheers of ‘‘Dump Trump.’’ (AFP)