TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — About 20 people rallied at Tampa City Hall on Monday to protest President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
“I can’t believe we’re in this situation again,” protester Emily Black said. “I can’t believe we didn’t learn enough to move forward from this situation in the first place.”
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Some told News Channel 8 On Your Side they felt proud on this historic day and said it was about time.
“It’s been a long road, but we made it,” said USF College Republicans Chairman Michael Fusella.
The Tampa Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression and Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society oppose the president’s policies, including saying no to mass deportations.
“Our country was founded on stolen land. Why worry about immigration policy? Why not create a policy that improves our naturalization system?” Black said. “They are doing menial jobs, and without that workforce, the stock market would fall again, impacting the economy.”
USF College Republicans said this administration will put Americans first by protecting them and providing jobs. They also said President Trump would fix what they called a broken immigration system.
Immigration is a top priority for President Trump and Florida lawmakers
“By securing our borders, building walls, and deporting people, we can get this backlog out of the system,” said Ethan Vobel, former president of the USF College Republicans.
They said they don’t think the president will do much to hurt the public’s way of expressing himself on the policy front. However, the president signed an executive order saying there are only two biological sexes. Another order would halt diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the federal government.
“We want things to be done based on merit, not based on gender identity, sexual orientation or race.” Fucera said.
“This is about the big picture, and I think everyone is pushing a lot of other things to hurt people for no reason,” said Lyle Willis, an opponent of the Trump administration.
News Channel 8 On Your Side asked both groups what they hope the next four years will look like. They agreed to further increase community engagement and involvement in policy change. We also want to keep people informed about what’s going on at all levels of government.
