Protests will aim to disrupt Trump inauguration - organisers

[webfact]

Protests will aim to disrupt Trump inauguration - organisers

By John Clarke

REUTERS

 

Workers construct the viewing stands ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's January inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., December 8, 2016. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Thousands of demonstrators are expected to turn out in Washington next week for protests aiming to "shut down" the inauguration of Donald Trump as the next U.S. president, organizers said on Thursday.

 

Protesters will attempt to close down 12 security checkpoints at the U.S. Capitol, where Trump will take the oath of office on Jan. 20, and along the 2.5-mile (4-km) parade route down Pennsylvania Avenue, according to leaders of a group called DisruptJ20.

 

"We want to shut down the inauguration," organizer David Thurston told a news conference. "We want to see a seething rebellion develop in this city and across the country."

 

A representative of the Trump transition team could not be immediately reached for comment, nor could a spokesman for the District of Columbia police.

 

After a deeply polarizing campaign, Trump's surprise victory in the Nov. 8 election has inflamed passions across the political spectrum.

 

The Republican president-elect's supporters embrace his brash, no-nonsense style and image as an astute problem-solver. His detractors are dismayed by what they see as an authoritarian bent and an array of provocative policy pronouncements.

 

DisruptJ20, which is working with Black Lives Matter and other protest groups, said it also planned predawn blockades and disruptive demonstrations during inaugural balls in the evening.

 

Some 300 DisruptJ20 volunteers will work to mobilise demonstrators for a series of protests the group has dubbed the "Festival of Resistance."

 

"We are not in favour of a peaceful transition of power, and we need to stop it," organizer Legba Carrefour said.

 

The group has three protest permits and "promises other surprises," said spokeswoman Samantha Miller. 

 

All told, 27 protest groups have been granted permits, more than four times the average number for past inaugurations, according to the National Park Service.

 

The Women's March, on the day after the inauguration, is expected to attract 200,000 people, said the park service, which issues permits. 

 

TIGHT SECURITY

 

The inauguration is expected to draw 800,000 spectators, according to officials. That compares with some 1.8 million attending Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration as America's first black president, one of the largest crowds ever to gather in the U.S. capital for such an event.

 

Protest organizers said they were concerned with the potential for violent clashes with Trump supporters.

 

"We are definitely worried about our safety, so we'll be training to help keep people safe," Miller said.

 

The group will have to navigate tight security provided by three dozen law enforcement agencies, including the Capitol Police, FBI, Secret Service, National Park Service and National Guard. 

 

Security will include more than 3,200 police officers from departments across the country, 8,000 members of the National Guard and an additional 5,000 active-duty military members. Security costs have exceeded $100 million, officials said.

 

Last week, interim D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham told reporters that authorities were ready for any attempt to disrupt the festivities.

 

"The fact that you have some folks that are indicating on social media that they're coming to shut down the inauguration events is something that we will be prepared for," Newsham said.

 

(Editing by Frank McGurty and Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-01-13

[maoro2013]

Sorest losers I have ever heard of.

[Pib]

No, the losers from 2008 and 2012 were much sorer...and stayed really pissed for 8 years.

[sabaii69]

1 hour ago, Pib said:

No, the losers from 2008 and 2012 were much sorer...and stayed really pissed for 8 years.

 

It is easy to forget that Obama did nothing in 8 years but improve his golf game.

[sabaii69]

1 hour ago, maoro2013 said:

Sorest losers I have ever heard of.

Brits like the author are keen at bashing any American event. How much is the pound today, mate?

[KarenBravo]

1 hour ago, maoro2013 said:

Sorest losers I have ever heard of.

 

Apart from Australians when they lose a sporting event.

[Jingthing]

Peaceful transition of power to a totally unqualified, psychologically bizarre, massively divisive demagogue that has inspired white supremacists is certainly nothing to celebrate.

The founders thought they had constructed a system to prevent that from ever happening. It failed.

[Cats4ever]

Don't disrupt; silently disapprove if you wish.

[Enoon]

37 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Peaceful transition of power to a totally unqualified, psychologically bizarre, massively divisive demagogue that has inspired white supremacists is certainly nothing to celebrate.

 

The founders thought they had constructed a system to prevent that from ever happening. It failed.

 

 

The system ensures that you only get it for 4 years and, since WW2, only for a further 4 years after that (subject to public approval).

 

The time will pass before you know it. 

 

His problems have hardly begun to bite him.

 

He is the best campaigner for the next Democrat administration you could dream of.

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, sabaii69 said:

 

It is easy to forget that Obama did nothing in 8 years but improve his golf game.

Well, Bin Laden did finally get a hole-in-one from a round  of play with Obama.

[kevkev1888]

"The inauguration is expected to draw 800,000 spectators, according to officials. That compares with some 1.8 million attending Barack Obama's 2009"

 

Come on Trump supporters, this is our day. Make the effort.

Show up in your millions!!!! 

While the media desperately try to play the numbers down (repeat of the rallies). 

Edited January 13, 2017 by kevkev1888

[Baerboxer]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Peaceful transition of power to a totally unqualified, psychologically bizarre, massively divisive demagogue that has inspired white supremacists is certainly nothing to celebrate.

 

The founders thought they had constructed a system to prevent that from ever happening. It failed.

 

 

Further confirmation of post 2.

 

Would you be supportive of threats to disrupt the ceremony had Hilary won? Many people thought she was unsuitable for that office and she undeniably lied and cheated to keep Bernie Sanders out? 

 

Just so unfair you can't have the one you like? 

[Jingthing]

55 minutes ago, Cats4ever said:

Don't disrupt; silently disapprove if you wish.

Why silently? 

[mike324]

1 hour ago, sabaii69 said:

 

It is easy to forget that Obama did nothing in 8 years but improve his golf game.

 

Please kindly explained what should have happened under Obamas watch then if you thought nothing was done socially and economically.

[thaibeachlovers]

Given that this will be probably the most heavily policed event in American history, anyone that attempts to disrupt it will be risking more than arrest. If any of the many security people think that a protestor might actually be a threat to the POTUS, they should shoot first and sort out the reality later.

 

Also, I would not be surprised if Trump supporters have had enough of the snowflakes and decide to mete out some "education" to them. They won't be hard to find.

[geriatrickid]

3 hours ago, maoro2013 said:

Sorest losers I have ever heard of.

 

Nope. That would be the Tea party wackos.  

The right’s hypocrisy on Trump protesters: It was only OK when the Tea Party was crashing Obamacare meetings. The Tea Party hijacked Congress via uncivil disobedience; the right can't cry when its tactics are used vs. Trump   http://www.salon.com/2016/03/15/the_rights_hypocrisy_on_trump_protesters_it_was_only_ok_when_the_tea_party_was_crashing_obamacare_meetings/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34 minutes ago, Enoon said:

 

The system ensures that you only get it for 4 years and, since WW2, only for a further 4 years after that (subject to public approval).

The time will pass before you know it. 

His problems have hardly begun to bite him.

He is the best campaigner for the next Democrat administration you could dream of.

 

He will have a helping hand from his GOP caucus.

More GOP politicians have been arrested for sexual misconduct in bathrooms than trans people

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

8 minutes ago, mike324 said:

 

Please kindly explained what should have happened under Obamas watch then if you thought nothing was done socially and economically.

He should have introduced a decent ACA instead of a crock of the brown stuff. He should also have kept his promise to close Guantanamo and done something about Assad when he "crossed the line".

There's lot's more, but time presses.

[mike324]

3 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

He should have introduced a decent ACA instead of a crock of the brown stuff. He should also have kept his promise to close Guantanamo and done something about Assad when he "crossed the line".

There's lot's more, but time presses.

 

With healthcare nothing is perfect,  ACA was a good start to help the low income. I won't comment on what could be done as I am not an expert, but what the Republicans repel just yesterday alone will have a big impact on the society. Are the average American prepare to pay 30% plus in income taxes like in developed European nations to get universal coverage?

 

Closing Guantanamo is an on going process, Trump wants to restock it! Not sure who is worse?

 

What should he have done about Assad? full out war in Syria? Again easier said than done given the superpower who is propping Assad up. I say no more wars for the US and let middle east deal with their problems. With the amount the US spends on wars, they could give everyone in the US free education for a couple of years. Trump wants more wars!

[thaibeachlovers]

1 minute ago, mike324 said:

 

With healthcare nothing is perfect,  ACA was a good start to help the low income. I won't comment on what could be done as I am not an expert, but what the Republicans repel just yesterday alone will have a big impact on the society. Are the average American prepare to pay 30% plus in income taxes like in developed European nations to get universal coverage?

 

Closing Guantanamo is an on going process, Trump wants to restock it! Not sure who is worse?

 

What should he have done about Assad? full out war in Syria? Again easier said than done given the superpower who is propping Assad up. I say no more wars for the US and let middle east deal with their problems. With the amount the US spends on wars, they could give everyone in the US free education for a couple of years. Trump wants more wars!

Obama had 8 years to close Guantanamo. He can't have tried very hard.

The point about Syria and the "line" is that he shouldn't have declared it if he wasn't going to do anything about it. He just made himself look weak and ineffective.

[SOTIRIOS]

...'organizers'....

 

...interesting alternative news on where these 'protesters' come from....with references....

[impulse]

2 hours ago, sabaii69 said:

It is easy to forget that Obama did nothing in 8 years but improve his golf game.

 

You mean aside from recovering from the worst financial crisis in 80 years and clearing the way for tens of millions of people to be covered under health insurance they couldn't get before him  (A flawed system- sure, but it's a start- and now nobody's going to let the Repubs unravel it without something in its place)?

 

I'm not a fan of his "transparency in government", "close Gitmo" and "close down the US wars around the world" promises.  But let's be honest.  What president in our lifetimes has ever really accomplished anything?  (Don't even try getting me started on Reagan, who started us down the MIC path to bankrupt the USA while bankrupting the USSR)

 

Edited January 13, 2017 by impulse

[Jingthing]

Obama would have been gone soon regardless.

The topic isn't about Obama's performance or legacy in history which we can't know yet.

It's about resistance efforts focused on the trump inaguaration. 

Do such radical tactics make sense?

My first impression is no but certainly do support large PEACEFUL protests. 

[kevkev1888]

6 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Obama would have been gone soon regardless.

The topic isn't about Obama's performance or legacy in history which we can't know yet.

It's about resistance efforts focused on the trump inaguaration. 

Do such radical tactics make sense?

My first impression is no but certainly do support large PEACEFUL protests. 

 

You can't judge Obama's performance after 8 years, but you can judge Trump's before he takes office. 55555 

Edited January 13, 2017 by kevkev1888

[impulse]

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Peaceful transition of power to a totally unqualified, psychologically bizarre, massively divisive demagogue that has inspired white supremacists is certainly nothing to celebrate.

 

The founders thought they had constructed a system to prevent that from ever happening. It failed.

 

 

Crappy as the selection was, I think the founding fathers are smiling on the fact that a citizen has come to DC to serve his country then go back and live in it.  That's what they intended.  Not to entrench himself at the government trough and hold on by hook and crook until he dies (or gets a better offer from a lobbying firm).

 

I'm sure they wouldn't have chosen Trump.  But he was the only candidate on offer.  He's done a tremendous service to the USA just by blazing the trail for better candidates who can now see the opportunity.  I just hope he doesn't screw the pooch now that he's in.

Edited January 13, 2017 by impulse

[Luckysilk]

Of course these precious snowflakes have time to go to Washington and protest - God forbid they work for a living.

 

The louder they scream the less people care.

 

President Elect Trump get in there and drain the swamp and repeal all that PC left wing crappolla Barry put in place. 

[Jingthing]

8 minutes ago, kevkev1888 said:

 

You can't judge Obama's performance after 8 years, but you can judge Trump's before he takes office. 55555 

I have done nothing of the kind as far as trump's performance as president. He isn't that yet. But there is lots to judge about his actions up till now and again, dude, SMELL THE COFFEE, the topic has NOTHING to do with Obama! 

[dick dasterdly]

2 hours ago, Cats4ever said:

Don't disrupt; silently disapprove if you wish.

Better still - encourage the Democrats to come up with policies supporting those 'left behind', rather than ignoring this demographic and pursuing their own wealth/power.

[Jingthing]

13 minutes ago, Luckysilk said:

Of course these precious snowflakes have time to go to Washington and protest - God forbid they work for a living.

 

The louder they scream the less people care.

 

President Elect Trump get in there and drain the swamp and repeal all that PC left wing crappolla Barry put in place. 

No comment on the trump supporters attending though. What are they if not snowflakes? Face it ... the USA is massively divided and trump is not helping.

[thai3]

23 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

No comment on the trump supporters attending though. What are they if not snowflakes? Face it ... the USA is massively divided and trump is not helping.

 

 

At least he supports gay marriage and Israel, I think he will be a good president and anything will be better than Clinton

[Jingthing]

6 minutes ago, thai3 said:

 

 

At least he supports gay marriage and Israel, I think he will be a good president and anything will be better than Clinton

He supports gay marriage, you say? Funny, how the majority of his picks as well as his V.P. (especially his V.P.) are notoriously anti-gay civil rights. 

Gay marriage is only one civil rights issue. 

There are others.

trump has pledged to trash Obama's executive orders, some of which are about gay civil rights protections.

Clinton supported national legislation to protect gay people from discrimination in basic things as housing and employment nationally. trump does not support that. In most U.S. states, gay people can be legally fired simply for the perception of their sexual orientation.

Most Americans don't think that's fair, so the laws DO need to be changed.

But who stops that? The kind of republicans trump has picked.

trump has pledged to pick far right wing supreme court picks like Scalia. Two of those on the court, and yes, they would have to power to overturn marriage equality and Roe vs. Wade as well.

As far as Israel, support for Israel is one thing, provoking with threats of embassy moves to Jerusalem, open support for the right wing West Bank settlement movement, and giving up on the two state solution ... is another. 

Edited January 13, 2017 by Jingthing