Tens of thousands of people rallied in US cities and airports this weekend (28-29 January) to voice outrage over President Donald Trump's Executive Order that restricts people from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the US.
Spontaneous demonstrations broke out at various airports across the country on Saturday (28 January). Speaking to Reuters, US Representative Jerry Nadler, a Democrat from New York, who joined protesters at the JFK airport during Saturday's demonstration said that "An unconstitutional and disgusting application on the basis of religious discrimination violates every tradition of this country," "And we here to say this should stop, and it should be revoked". A second wave of rallies broke out on Sunday, as the US Customs and Border Protection agents began enforcing President Donald Trump's directive.
Activists gather at Portland International Airport in Portland, OregonSteve Dipaola/Reuters
Protestors rally during a demonstration at JFK International Airport in New York CityStephanie Keith/Getty ImagesProtesters gather at JFK International Airport in New York CityBryan R. Smith/AFPDemonstrators yell slogans during protest against the travel ban imposed by US President Donald Trump's Executive Order, at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, CaliforniaTed Soqui/ReutersProtesters hold signs during a demonstration against the immigration ban that was imposed by US President Donald Trump at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, CaliforniaJustin Sullivan/Getty ImagesProtesters gather at the international arrivals area of the Washington Dulles International Airport in Sterling, VirginiaThomas Watkins/AFPProtesters shout and hold up signs at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, CaliforniaJosh Edelson/AFPProtesters fill the international terminal at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, CaliforniaJosh Edelson/AFPHattie Burke-Foreuic holds up a sign on her father's shoulders during a protest at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, CaliforniaJosh Edelson/AFPDemonstrators are seen outside Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaJessica Kourkounis/Getty ImagesDemonstrators hold signs during anti-Donald Trump travel ban protests outside Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaCharles Mostoller/Reuters
Protesters gather at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Dallas, TexasG. Morty Ortega/Getty Images
Protestors cheer another protestor's sign as he drives by in a car at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International AirportTami Chappell/AFP
Protestors crowd the sidewalks at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia
Proresters stand together at the Miami International Airport in Miami, FloridaJoe Raedle/Getty Images
Protesters stand together at the Miami International Airport in Miami, FloridaJoe Raedle/Getty Images
One of the largest of Sunday's protests took place at Battery Park in lower Manhattan, within sight of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, long a symbol of welcome to US shores. The march, estimated to have grown to about 10,000 people, later began heading to the US Customs and Border Protection office in lower Manhattan.
Trump defended the Executive Order in a statement on Sunday, saying the United States would resume issuing visas to all countries once secure policies were put in place over the next 90 days.
Mayor Bill de Blasio (L) speaks as protesters gather in Battery Park and march to the offices of Customs and Border Patrol in Manhattan to protest President Trump's Executive Order imposing controls on travellers from Muslim-majority nationsBryan R. Smith/AFP
Protesters gather in Battery Park and march to the offices of Customs and Border Patrol in Manhattan to protest President Trump's Executive order imposing controls on travellers from Muslim-majority nationsBryan R. Smith/AFPDemonstrators march down Pennsylvania Avenue during a protest in WashingtonZach Gibson/AFPDemonstrators chant near the Washington Monument in Washington, DC.Zach Gibson/Getty Images