SEDGWICK COUNTY- Organizers are planning a protest rally against Donald Trump in downtown Wichita on Friday night and using social media to invite others to participate.
The non-violent gathering is scheduled for the Old Town section of Wichita at 8p.m.
According to a social media post from Djuan Walsh, the purpose of the event is “to have our voices heard if you may feel your voice was not heard in the election. Come and show your support for the people this election is effecting.
We stand united and together. Having at least 100 people would help get attention to our cause and make our presence known. This is a peaceful gathering. Everyone is welcome. Please share and invite whoever.”
See the Love Trumps Hate! Stand up to Hatred site here.
Walsh is a juvenile justice advocate for Kansas Appleseed, an organization that champions laws and policies that support vulnerable and excluded Kansans, according to their web site.
Allison Eaton, the original organizer of the Kansas protest wrote on facebook, “Note: I changed this from a protest to a gathering so no one gets the wrong idea. This a place to voice your opinion and concerns on the recent election,”
Eaton later wrote, “This has gone way way way out of control. This is not mine or Tristan Orsak’s responsibility anymore. All we did was simply give a time and place for people to gather and discuss their feelings. I am scared for my safety and the safety of others.”
Walsh decided to take over the rally, “Alright all, the two organizers have backed out. Myself and Evan Shaheen have stepped up to help lead the protest tomorrow (Friday). It is a shame that these youth are being subjected to threats and are now in fear for their safety. We will be resolved in exercising our first amendment rights.”
Many others including Jennifer K. Shafer responded on facebook, “The focus of this rally should be, specifically, to show unity. The outcome of the election, to many of us, is not favorable, but the best thing we can do right now is to come together and show the communities in our country who are feeling unsafe that we will stand with them. We will not stand for social injustice. We will not stand for hate speech and intolerance.”