Protesters took to Akron Tuesday night, as hundreds gathered in Highland Square to protest the election of Donald Trump as president.

Protesters met at 11 p.m. at the Chipotle parking lot in Highland Square, and then marched down West Market Street a little after 11:30 p.m. The protest was held so late so that it could be “very convenient for those who work 1st and 2nd shifts. (Which is most people.) We hope this time will give many people the opportunity to come out and join us,” according the Facebook post that was used to organize the protest.

The protesters vocalized their disdain for Trump, as they chanted things like “This is what democracy looks like,” “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA,” “Not my president,” and “Love trumps hate,” which is a phrase that was made famous by former secretary of state Hillary Clinton during her campaign.

Many of the protesters were clad with signs conveying messages that were a mix of anti-Trump and pro-peace. Some protesters also held up “Black Lives Matter” signs and also signs in support of the LGBT community.

Police monitored the protest, patrolling the route that the protesters walked on. They also stopped traffic to help the protesters cross the street safely. The organizers of the event marched alongside the protesters, starting chants and trying to keep the march strictly to the sidewalks. They also stopped the march at certain points so that one part of the group wouldn’t get too far ahead of the other.  

Protesters arrived back at the Chipotle around 12:15 a.m. Wednesday morning, at which point the organizers had everyone form a circle so there could be a group discussion to talk about how they felt about the election. Protesters then took turns speaking into a loudspeaker, sharing opinions about the upcoming presidency.

It was at this point the Revolutionary Communist Party began speaking in a separate part of the parking lot, trying to drum up support for a revolution.

There were a handful of Trump supporters that showed up for the rally who stayed on the other side of the street, away from the protesters.

Henry Palattella is a sports reporter. Contact him at [email protected].