Reflecting on the “Trump is NOT our President” Protest in Albany
When the election results came in around 3:00 am on November 8, 2016, it was hard for many to not feel hopeless. While my college campus has often acted as a safe space, the confines of a campus can also isolate young people and give them a feeling of separation from the real world and the reality of political current events. In the light of the election of Donald Trump, this separation left many students feeling at a loss for how to take action and stand up for the issues they care about most. My friends and I watched news reports of the protests happening in major cities like New York and Boston and wished that we too could join the fight against the oppression and hate perpetuated by our next president.
This weekend, I attended a protest outside of New York’s Capitol Building in Albany. I learned about the event through a Facebook group that got circulated around my college community, with the title “Trump is NOT our President”, and a description which read: “Trump is not our president, and we will not tolerate misogyny, racism, xenophobia, ableism, or hateful rhetoric. We will sit in solidarity with our marginalized brothers, sisters, and siblings across the state and the nation.” The event, which took place less than three days after the Facebook page was created, was attended by people of all ages, from families with young children to high school and college students. The crowd of peaceful protesters carried powerful posters and signs with messages including: “Love Trumps Hate,” “This Pussy Grabs Back,” “Climate Change Is Not a Myth,” and “A Country United Will Never Be Defeated.” The crowd stood in a circle for the full duration of the four-hour event, with room in the center for a wide variety of rotating speakers. Among the words spoken were personal stories, words of encouragement, and cries of frustration and anger. The voices represented a variety of communities, groups, and points of view amongst Americans. It was a truly three-dimensional look at the dissatisfied and driven United States citizen.
At several points during the rally, my friends stepped into the center of the circle to speak. One spoke of her Turkish family members who face deportation at the end of the year. Another spoke of the importance of listening to the voices of those who are not able-bodied and may not have the privilege of attending a rally and letting their voice be heard. I watched as my friends commanded the attention of participants of all ages. I heard the crowd grow quiet to respect their words. I observed the ways in which the power of storytelling can create unity, support, and a feeling of security. Through claiming our identities one by one and embracing the individual struggles that we all face within the same country, a feeling of togetherness was restored.
I cannot stress the value of an outlet like this one. In a matter of hours, many people were able to feel validated in their fear and anger without retaliating with impatience and intolerance for others. Those who did not vote for Trump and now fear for the safety of themselves, their loved ones, and their country are justified in all that they feel. Simultaneously, the need for unity in our nation has never been greater. The obligation to reach out, communicate, listen, and exchange in civil discourse is essential to our future. It is imperative that Democrats and Republicans alike approach each other with patience and strive for understanding rather than hate. If there is one thing I learned from attending the protest, it is that everyone has a story to tell. Everyone shares a common desire to feel cared for, protected, and supported in their country. Despite the disdain, disappointment, and frustration that I sometimes feel towards people, particularly young people, who voted Trump into office, it would be partial and biased of me to assume that the stories of Trump supporters are less real than my own.
I hope that in the months to come, as well as following Trump’s Inauguration, people on both sides will not grow complacent, and that forums for support and discussion will not disappear. We have a tumultuous four years ahead of us, four years that no one is able to predict. Your call to action is far from over.
