Rallies mark ‘Not My President’s Day’

UNITED STATES: Renewed protests against US President Donald Trump flared on the Presidents Day holiday yesterday, with activists taking to the streets in dozens of cities in ‘‘Not My President’s Day’’ rallies.

Protest leaders said they expected thousands to rally in nearly 30 cities, ranging from Los Angeles and Chicago to Grand Rapids, Michigan and Washington DC, in the latest round of demonstrations to express displeasure with Trump’s policies and pronouncements.

In New York, hundreds of protesters stretching at least eight blocks chanted ‘‘He cheats, he lies, open up your eyes’’ near the Trump International Hotel on the edge of Central Park.

‘‘I think he’s got a mean personality,’’ said marcher Edith Cresmer, a 78-year-old urban planner.

‘‘But the worst thing about him is how he incited peoples’ fears and pits them against each other.’’

Organisers of the New York rally said they opposed the Trump agenda, including proposed cuts in federal spending and construction of a wall along the border with Mexico.

The idea for the Presidents Day protests originated in Los Angeles and spread to other localities via social media.

In downtown Chicago, about 1200 people gathered across the Chicago River from the Trump International Hotel and Tower.

Signs spotted in the crowd included ‘‘My body, my choice’’ and ‘‘Jesus was a refugee’’, references to Trump’s antiabortion stance and his efforts to stop admission of refugees to the US.

With yesterday being a day off for many schools, many parents brought their children to the protests.

Hundreds of people blocked traffic and prompted rolling street closures as they marched in downtown Washington to outside the White House.

– Reuters, Washington Post