Protesters rally for ‘Not My President’s Day’

YEADON >> Protests held nationwide for “Not My President’s Day” on Monday continued the trend of civil discontent that has punctuated Donald Trump’s presidency from the moment he claimed victory in November.

Outside of Yeadon Borough Hall, a group of more than a dozen people proudly demonstrated in solidarity with the like-minded protests taking place in many major cities in the country.

“We’re rallying against the executive orders,” said Jacquelynn Puriefoy-Brinkley, an activist with Yeadon Pulse, which has promised 100

days of resistance in the borough.

“They’re going after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and our food protections, they’re attacking public radio, television and everything we’ve learned to live comfortably with,” Puriefoy-Brinkley said. “And he’s trying to take it all away.”

The ongoing 100 days of action have become a pervasive counterpunch to the 100-day plan by President Trump’s administration, which has brought mass criticism in regards to his cabinet picks, the immigration ban, talk of repealing the Affordable Care Act and threats to defund “sanctuary cities.”

Monday, thousands of people gathered in protest nationwide to voice strong opposition to the Trump administration and a presidency that has dominated the news cycle through a seemingly endless spree of executive orders.

“People everywhere are standing up,” Puriefoy-Brinkley said. “If we don’t win this fight, we’ll have lost this country.”

Most strikingly are the number of children who participate in the marches and rallies, and not simply through association with their mothers and fathers, but as free-thinking individuals who have become concerned for the safety, wellbeing and freedom of their loved ones.

“Most of this county came here originally as immigrants or refugees, except for the Native Americans,” said Dakota Puriefoy, 11, who on her birthday with her twin sister, Sydney,

“People everywhere are standing up. If we don’t win this fight, we’ll have lost this country.” — Jacquelynn Puriefoy Brinkley

joined her mother and aunt with signs and chanting. “Make America great again? He’s just putting it into a black hole.”

Dakota and Sydney’s mother, Kia Puriefoy, said her daughters cried when they found out Hillary Clinton had lost the election in November. Since then they’ve been vocal and active participants in their democracy, and have expressed their opinions to classmates and friends.

“In our home there’s no dumb questions,” Puriefoy said. “They want an answer, information, knowledge, they don’t want fluff.

“They’re welcome to their own opinions.”

Jasmine Lewis, 12, joined her mother in protest, Leslie Lewis-McGirth, who runs the Fresh Start Programs Teens Making A Difference in Darby that helps keep kids in school, gets them back into school and helps them find a job or go to college.

Jasmine, who said she related the most to Democratic primary presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, was very disappointed that the people weren’t given an opportunity to vote for him in the general election.

“I liked what he stood for,” Lewis said. “What Donald Trump is doing is not right ... he think since he’s the president he can do whatever he wants.”

RICK KAUFFMAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Twins Dakota Puriefoy, right, and Sydney Puriefoy, center, celebrated their 11th birthday on Monday by joining their mother and aunt in protest of the Trump administration in Yeadon. Their mom, Kia Puriefoy, said she allows her girls to ask questions...

RICK KAUFFMAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Around 500 protesters young and old gathered in Center City Philadelphia on Monday to protest the number of executive orders that have been instituted by President Donald Trump.

RICK KAUFFMAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Juliana Brinkley, right, with 7-month-old son Harper, were among more than a dozen protesters who gathered outside the Yeadon Borough Hall on Monday to express their discontent with the Trump administration.