PHOENIX — Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Arizona Capitol on Wednesday to protest Donald Trump’s policies, which they say are harmful to the country.
Protestor Stacey Owen emphasized the need to bring attention to Trump’s policies and their impact on state lawmakers.
“We have to find a way to get to our Democrats and our Republicans and let them know that there are more of us than there are of them,” Owen said.
Shift in Focus
The protest was initially centered on Trump’s immigration policies but evolved into a broader opposition against his agenda early in his second term. Organizers used the hashtags #buildtheresistance and #50501 (representing 50 protests in 50 states on the same day) to rally support.
Brittany Biederman, another demonstrator, expressed her concerns about the administration’s impact on constitutional rights.
“This government that is in place currently is trampling on our constitution and our amendments, and that’s not what we stand for,” Biederman said.
Protests Growing Across the Valley
This is one of several recent demonstrations in Arizona and across the country in response to Trump’s new executive orders on immigration, trade, and climate policies.
Earlier in the week, protests in Glendale over federal immigration policies turned destructive, damaging police and civilian vehicles.
Law Enforcement Response
The Phoenix Police Department issued a statement Tuesday, explaining how its Public Safety Response Team (PSRT)is trained to maintain order while allowing people to exercise their First Amendment rights.
Nationwide Demonstrations
Opposition to Trump’s agenda has been rising nationwide. On Sunday, thousands of demonstrators in Southern California protested against his planned large-scale deportations, shutting down a major Los Angeles freeway for hours.
