Refuse Fascism gathered dozens to Finley Plaza at Little Five Points on November 4, 2018, to resist the Trump administration. The organization began last December in response to the election of Donald Trump and since then, planned a non-violent, nationwide protest.
Refuse Fascism has promoted the protest for weeks, as seen through blocking traffic on U.S. Highway 101 at Los Angeles, California with the message, “NOV 4 IT BEGINS”.
According to their website, “RefuseFascism.org is a movement of people coming from diverse perspectives, united in our recognition that the Trump/Pence Regime poses a catastrophic danger to humanity and the planet and that it is our responsibility to drive them from power through non-violent protests that grow every day until our demand is met.”
Ivey, an organizer of the movement, said activism is needed in our current administration to protect civil rights.
“It’s greatly needed. The crimes of this system. You will see, they’re taking away people’s civil rights, civil liberties,” Ivey said. “They’re telling women that their bodies aren’t theirs, it’s the states. They can’t have a safe abortion without legislation being passed. I can go on and on about the crimes of this system, but we need people to say no. We refuse to live this way.”
The protest started slightly before sunset, beginning with speakers. Jack, one of many, held a microphone and stood with others from the movement who wished to see a different world.
“We refuse to live in that kind of America today. And we’re standing here today, not just for America, but for the entire world and for humanity,” Jack said. “Today in 24 cities around this country thousands are coming out to raise this demand where there’s no, we refuse to accept a fascist America.”
When asked about their worst nightmare, an attendee protecting their identity spoke out on injustices that immigrants in her community face.
“My nightmare is people saying that Asian immigrants are ruining my hometown and just being xenophobic and not respecting the hard work that immigrants do here.”
Other’s like Deborah Delk, a bystander, said people have the right to protest but should follow the law.
“They have a right not to agree, but we also have rules and laws in this country, and I think that we need to as a unification to abide by those rules and laws,” Delk said. “So, they do have the right to be here to protest or to boycott on either side as long as there is no violence interacted.”
Counter-protesters arrived at the scene but were stopped by the Atlanta Police Department.
Andrew Baumert, a graduate student at Georgia State University, said they are out to protect their future.
“I’m actually a trans person and like if you pay any attention to the news at all it just feels like this administration is like totally attacking trans people with all these laws and all the stuff they’re trying to do and I’m just like honestly kind of scared for my future so I want to do everything I can to be safe,” Baumert said.
The protest also brought out a Donald Trump impersonator, Donna J. Trump.
“I wouldn’t want to let my people down. They’re here for me. It is all I can do,” the public figure said. “It’s very important that I take care of my people do you know what I’m saying? Do you understand? I mean, believe me, they’re here for me. That’s why they’re here.”
According to fliers, organizers plan to gather every day until their demands are met.
Note: This story was written for PRN, the student-led news station at Georgia State University.
