HACKENSACK — Hundreds of protestors gathered on the Bergen County courthouse steps Sunday to object to President Donald Trump’s recent travel ban targeting seven majority-Muslim countries.
The event, billed as an event to come together “to defend our values” was organized by Bergen County Concerned Citizens and was similar to previous protests in the area in that it attracted a large, diverse group of residents, some of whom stood in the crowd holding signs condemning Trump’s policies.
“Neither sleet, not rain will keep us from speaking up and speaking out,” said Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen).
As the rain continued to fall, a number of community activists and elected officials took the stage and the crowd continued to grow with many of those in attendance standing in the snow to get a better view.
“The men and women of Bergen are here united,” said County Executive James Tedesco. “We are united with you.”
The crowd broke out in chants at one point led by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5th Dist.), including “no hate, no fear, everyone is welcome here.”
There was confusion throughout the country’s airports, including Newark Liberty International, after Trump announced he was banning people from seven countries from coming to the United States.
Marqueritha Clarke, 57 of Teaneck, was born in the Netherlands, but came to the United States in 1972 from Canada.
After being here so many years, she said she considers herself a New Yorker, but says she’s noticing a trend of his rhetoric causing hatred to flow throughout the country.
“This country was made with immigrants,” Clarke said. “I don’t think he knows what he’s doing.”
Sara Jerde may be reached at sjerde@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SaraJerde.
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