Arrests in Portland, as "Not My President's Day" rallies held across country

LOS ANGELES -- Thousands of demonstrators turned out Monday across the U.S. to challenge President Donald Trump in a Presidents Day protest dubbed Not My President’s Day.

The events on the federal holiday didn’t draw nearly as many people as the million-plus who thronged the streets following the Republican president’s inauguration a month earlier, but the message was similar.

CBS Los Angeles reported that organizers said they chose to rally on the holiday as a way to honor past presidents by exercising their constitutional right to assemble and peacefully protest.

In downtown Los Angeles, thousands gathered outside city hall chanting “Love, not hate, makes America great,” reports CBSLA’s Margaret Carrero.

The protesters had signs reading “Trump is treason” and “the art of the liar.”

Demonstrators said Mr. Trump has attacked everything they stand for, from his crackdown on immigration to his party’s response to climate change and the environment. Meanwhile, supporters of the president have followed his lead, turning on the media and saying they’re glad to see Mr. Trump fighting back.

In Chicago, CBS News’ Roseanne Tellez covered a protest in the city’s downtown, where protesters had signs reading “Dump Trump” and “Repeal and replace Trump, not Obamacare!”

In Miami, protesters voiced their frustration.

“I’m upset ... I am very concerned and I would like to see a return to rational reasonable policies based on fact, facts that are not up for debate,” said Chris Webber.

“There is hatred among different races, separation of races, it needs to stop, we need to find a common good and work together to preserve the United States,” said June Martinez.

Peter Bronson was in South Florida on vacation from New York. He drove down from Deerfield Beach to voice his concerns over the Trump administration.

“I don’t want to see the country sold to the highest bidder. I want to see a system, something like a change in the system that Martin Luther King talked about, that we change the country, the system, that people are treated fairly no matter what station is in life,” said Bronson.

In Portland, Oregon, dozens gathered late Monday morning and blocked downtown streets, and a handful of protesters were arrested after refusing to stop blocking traffic, CBS Portland affiliate KOIN reported. Video from the scene showed police making arrests and people laying face down on the ground. 

For about 20 minutes, protesters had been given verbal warnings to clear the street. Some did, while others kept blocking traffic. Police initially arrested three people, according to KOIN, and at least five others were arrested about 10 minutes later.

Another rally was held midday in Portland and was peaceful, KOIN reported. Both groups were protesting the Trump administration.

Outside Central Park in Manhattan, thousands of flag-waving protesters lined up. Many in the crowd chanted “No ban, no wall. The Trump regime has got to fall.” They held aloft signs saying “Uphold the Constitution Now” and “Impeach the Liar.”

In Washington, D.C., several hundred demonstrated. Dozens gathered around the fountain in Dupont Circle chanting “Dump Trump” and “Love, not hate: That’s what makes America great.”

In Atlanta, dozens marched through midtown for a rally named with a Georgia flavor: “ImPEACH NOW! (Not My) President’s Day March.”

In Salt Lake City, hundreds of protesters chanting “This is what democracy looks like” marched. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the crowd marched to push back against Mr. Trump and his administration’s stance on such issues as the environment, immigration, free speech and Russia. 

Some people raised signs that said “Not My President,” while others held up a large American flag. Protester Reg Brookings warned the crowd that Trump is trying to divide the country by making such groups as immigrants the enemy.

In Rapid City, South Dakota, hundreds of Trump opponents and supporters also turned out. A larger anti-Trump faction stood on a street corner as part of a “Not My President” protest, similar to other demonstrations being held across the country. A group supporting the president lined up on a different corner at the same intersection.

Monday’s rallies were the latest in what has been a seemingly endless string of protests against the president. Several cities hosted similar events over the weekend.