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The “Solidarity Rally” at Gould Park, in which protesters were called on to stand up for the rights of Muslims and immigrants, attracted a crowd of 250-300 protesters by 6:30 p.m., Paterson Police Director Jerry Speziale told NorthJersey.com.
Protests erupted across the country after Trump signed the executive order Friday barring nationals from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia from entering the U.S. for 90 days. The order also stopped foreign refugees from entering for 120 days and placed an indefinite halt to all those coming from war-torn Syria.
Protesters at Wednesday’s event took to social media to share photos, some of which included signs stating “Sanctuary for All” and “Hate Has No Home Here.”
Osoul Taha of Paterson said she went to the event "to be part of something and be able to have an affect on what's happening lately.
"I can't just sit back and watch our racist, bigoted president ban people simply because of the religion they choose to follow or where they come from, you know?"
Taha, who went to the event alone but met up with a few friends there, said she has Syrian friends who have family members that "fear for their lives because they know they won't be allowed to come here for safety."
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