Thousands in the streets across US for Weekend of Action
The resistance is taking many forms in the United States, Common Dreams said, with some constituents showing up to lawmakers' town hall events to demand accountability and others taking to the streets to protest the Trump administration and its draconian policies.
Nearly 1,00 people marched in Dallas on February 18, demonstrating solidarity with refugees and immigrants impacted by President Donald Trump's recent executive orders as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.
Meanwhile, thousands attended a February 18 "Free the People Immigration March" in downtown Los Angeles, whose organisers have drafted a "People's Declaration" that declares the city to be "a sanctuary for all". Among other demands, the march organizers call for "an immediate stop to the ICE raids and deportations" and vow to "rebel against Trump's actions at every step of the way."
Other anti-Trump events took place in New York City and Sarasota, Florida on Saturday, while additional protests are slated for Sunday and Monday. NBC News has a run-down of some of the largest planned demonstrations.
Hundreds form 'human wall' in Mexico to protest Trump
Hundreds of people in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico formed a "human wall" at the edge of the Rio Grande on February 17 to protest President Donald Trump's proposed border wall, Common Dreams said.The demonstrators held up flowers and colored flags reading the word "Peace" and waved to residents of the neighboring town of El Paso, Texas.
Organisers told the Associated Press that the event was meant to symbolize that uniting people was better than dividing them. "We have, as it is being demonstrated here, many friends on the other side of the river, on the other side where they intend to build this wall that will never separate two friendly peoples," said former Mexican presidential candidate Cuauhtemoc Cardenas.
'Truths Not Tweets': Protesters greet Trump at Boeing Plant
President Donald Trump was met with peaceful protesters in North Charleston, South Carolina on Friday as he gave a speech at a Boeing plant in his first visit to the state since winning its Republican presidential primary last year.
Members of Indivisible Charleston, a local resistance group, rallied at the North Charleston Coliseum near the plant, which produces the massive Dreamliner aircraft. At least 100 people gathered to listen to speakers, wielding signs that read, "Truths not tweets," and "No one is free when others are oppressed."
In blow to Trump, anti-worker Labor Dept. nominee Puzder withdraws
In a blow to US President Donald Trump, his nominee for labor secretary, Andrew Puzder, withdrew his name from consideration on February 15. It came amid concern he would be unable to garner enough Senate votes to be confirmed after accusations of abuse against workers at his company, TeleSUR English said that day.
Puzder’s decision to withdraw is yet another setback this week for a White House still grappling with the fallout from the abrupt resignation on February 13 of national security adviser Michael Flynn, after less than a month in the job.
Puzder, the chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants, which franchises fast-food chains including Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr, has been at the centre of a swirl of controversies, complaints and potential conflicts. Workers at some of CKE's restaurants have filed claims in recent weeks alleging they were victims of wage theft or victims of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Almost every member of the White House Asian-American advisory council resigns in protest of Trump
Ten out of the 14 people on a White House advisory board for Asian-American issues have officially resigned, protesting Trump’s harsh policies on immigrants, US Uncut said on February 17.
On February 15, 10 members of the White House Initiative on Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) co-signed a letter to Trump tendering their resignation. Their reason was based on his policies of banning immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries, targeting of sanctuary cities, and the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, according to Fusion.
Six others had resigned when Trump was inaugurated on January 20, meaning only four members remain.
In the resignation letter, the co-signers said they felt the Trump administration was ignoring the concerns of their community and could no longer stand by while he disrespected immigrants and refugees. The council also wrote a letter to Trump on January 13, a week prior to his inauguration, asking for a meeting, but got no response from Trump or his staff.
Trump faces high disapproval
Trump’s approval rating reached a new low on February 11, according to a poll from Gallup, as the new administration has struggled to find its footing nearly a month into the term, CNN said.
The daily tracking poll found that just 40% of Americans approve of Trump’s job as president so far, compared to 55% who say they disapprove. The negative 15-point spread is the highest recorded in the poll since Trump took office January 20.
Trump’s approval rating has hovered in the mid-to-low 40s since the second week of his presidency, but the new poll suggests growing dissatisfaction with his performance amid the chaotic rollout of his controversial travel ban and a series of divisive Cabinet confirmation fights.
Trump's low approval rating is atypical for a new president. Former presidents Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton all enjoyed approval ratings in the high 50s in Gallup tracking polls during the early months of their administrations.