THE DENTONITE

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Post Inauguration Coverage

This story broke on Friday, January 20, at 6:38 pm and is being updated throughout the weekend to include coverage from the Women's Marches in Dallas, Denton, Austin, and Washington D.C. 

Friday, January 20. 6:38pm. Dallas, TX. Donald J. Trump is now officially the President of the United States, and across DFW protests against the new administration are coming together. At Dealy Plaza in Downtown Dallas, the crowd gathers for a march to resist the incoming Commander in Chief. The Dentonite is there, so stay tuned for more updates on this and other events in the Metroplex.

Dealy Plaza on Friday night. Photo by Caine Jefferson

6:53pm. The speakers are rallying the crowd of 200 or more protesters. Many diverse community organizations are present, and the crowd is cheering the speakers' words. The crowd consists of people from all ages, races, genders, and orientations.  People continue to come in, and the March should begin soon. As cars drive by the historic plaza, honks of support echo in the background amid the speeches and cheers.

7:12pm. A single anti-protest representative is across Main Street from the protest. Anti Trump protesters line the sidewalks with their own signs and messages.

Photo by Caine Jefferson.

7:32pm. The march is working their way up Elm Street now, with the crowd bulging to several hundred. A handful of DPD officers were on scene, but we did see them need to intervene.

Photo by Caine Jefferson.

8:15pm. The world watched Donald J. Trump take the oath of office to become the 45th president of the United States today. In the wake of the controversial POTUS protests against his administration happened across the country, and right here in DFW.

NTX Resistance hosted a rally and march today at historic Dealy Plaza. Joining them were a number of community organizations including Democratic Socialists of America-North Texas, Fight for $15 Dallas, Mothers Against Police Brutality, Trans Pride Initiative, Texas Equal Access Fund, Workers Defende Action Fund, Texas Organizing Project, and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1338.

The crowd started arriving at 6:00pm as the sun was sinking into the horizon, and people of all ages, creeds, sexes, and orientations were represented.  As organizers were preparing for speakers, the crowd checked out each other’s protest signs, and murmured about the incoming president. The quiet did not last long.

As the speakers began rallying the crowd, they in turn got loud. At first, there were perhaps 200 people in the crowd, but we estimate by the time the march began an hour later that number easily doubled.

The speakers talked openly about the need for the marginalized people in our country to band together against what they see as an aggressive administration. Topics ranged from women’s health care, a $15.00 minimum wage, protecting the environment, police brutality, and the need for unity over the next four years. The crowd was receptive to them, but there were some distractions.

A single anti protestor showed up across Elm Street from the protest, bearing a sign with the slogan of the right wing, “You’re All Crybabies.” There was a brief moment of tension as a single protestor crossed the street and attempted to make the Trump supporter leave. He was quickly rounded up by protesters, and no one was injured.

Dallas Police milled about, but the rally was peaceful with passing motorists’ honks of support echoing in the background.

When the march began, hundreds of the anti-trump camp lined up on the north side of Elm Street, practicing the chants they sang out along their route.

We’ll update this story with more pictures and quotes later this evening.

Reporter Caine Jefferson is in Oaklawn for another event, so check back soon for updates on that event.

8:43pm. The Anti-Trump events continue tonight in Oaklawn, as the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence prepare for their Inauguration Night Stroll. The mood is at once festive and fearful. One of the Sisters we spoke with talked about how the LGBTQ community is playing a waiting game to what effects the incoming administration will have on their community. We'll have more updates on this event later this evening.

9:00pm. Opposing the upbeat atmosphere of the rally at Dealy Plaza the Sister's Stroll had an almost funeral like somberness. Like the Resistance event, the theme of unity and community resounded.

 Saturday, January 21.  

9:53am. Dallas. The crowd at the Dallas Women's March is already so large it's hard to guage just how many people turned out. The passion of the people is palpable as the chants begin and they prepare to march.

 

Photo by Caine Jefferson.

11:00am. Denton, TX. Protestors have arrived in Downtown Denton. The march starts at 12:00 pm. There are voter registration tables on each corner of the courthouse lawn.
 -Sara ButtonDenton.

Photo by Sara Button.

12:00 pm, Denton. The crowd has at least doubled in size since I got to the square at 11 am. There are people on all four sides of the courthouse.
-Sara Button

12:25 pm, Denton. The crowd has started chanting and marching, elbow to elbow. The police officers and sheriff's downtown had no idea of how man people were there, but it seemed like on the upward of 500 people.  Reports in Dallas from Caine Jefferson say there were on the upwards of 10,000 people marching in Dallas today.
-Sara Button

Photos below by Anjelica Fraga.

12:38 pm, Denton.

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Downtown Denton. Photo by Beth Yturri.

2:48 pm, Washington D.C. 

Washington D.C. Photo by Hannah Ridings.

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3:09 pm, Denton, TX. Two anti-Gay protestors showed up, some of the crowd from the Women's March stood over them with love. Below photos by Mateo Granados.

3:32 pm, Denton, TX. Photos from James Coreas are in:

4:04 pm, Washington D.C. Protestors have knocked down the fence and are storming the lawn near the White House. The main black fence is still up.
-Hannah Boo Ridings, Washington D.C.

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 4:12 pm, Washington D.C. The fence has been put back up and police are clearing people out. 

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