Fecteau: The Futile Anti-Trump Protests
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Friday, November 18, 2016
Matt Fecteau, GoLocalProv Guest MINDSETTER™
PHOTO: Thinkprogressive.org
I was just as appalled as most people when Donald Trump was elected President of the United States. This was a scary prospect after he ran such a divisive, and bigoted campaign. The Trump campaign was a grotesque parody of what a serious campaign should look like. I felt I was watching a grim reality television show at times.
Recently, protestors have taken to the busy streets across to the United States, to proclaim Mr. Trump doesn’t represent them. While civil disobedience should be highly respected, my burning question to many of these protestors is merely, where were you on election day?
Considering the stakes of this election, a noteworthy amount of eligible voters simply did not vote. According to the United States election project, only 58% of qualified Americans voted in the last election. This meant Trump outright won the presidency with some 40% or around 100 million of the entitled voting population not even casting a ballot.
Protestors didn’t vote in larger numbers compared to that of the general voting population. In Portland, Oregon for example, one survey found only about half of those arrested for protesting voted. In other words, a number of people couldn’t find their way into a polling place this past election, but can find days to protest the results and risk years in jail.
Many had a good chance to rebut Trump, but some did nothing. If only more people voted, the results would have been much different. In fact, according to some scientific polls, if millennials voted in larger numbers, Mrs. Hillary Clinton would have been our next president.
While there is a purpose for some protests, the point is mooted with the anti-Trump protests, especially after the election. These dissents seem to be more about protesting the man, than objecting to any bizarre or outlandish policy he has yet to introduce. Protests are great to inspire, but what exactly are the protestors inspiring? It will not change the election result.
While we should come out against any mentally unbalanced plan Trump might gradually introduce, protesting the man himself seems silly, and meaningless. Trump isn’t going to stop being Trump. Those sexual assault allegations, you likely knew about them before the election. Those unethical business practices were talked about ad nauseam. That KKK endorsement, well, that was out there too. Somehow though, a lot of people failed to vote to rebuke him.
The election is over. Mr. Trump won. Save your energy for his next unhinged policy proposal, better yet, cast a ballot next election – that is the ultimate form of protest against the current status quo.
Related Slideshow: Trump in Worcester
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
Trump fans like this young supporter made signs of their own to show their support for the Donald. They could be seen dotting the line waiting to enter the DCU Center.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
For Trump fans that left their gear at home, there was nothing to fear. Vendors took advantage of the passionate crowd, lining up near the entrances and selling buttons, hats and t-shirts like this one.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
Star-spangled gear could be seen often outside and inside of the DCU Center. This Trump supporter really worse his love for the Donald on his sleeve.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
It wasn't all good cheer for Donald Trump. Protestors lined the streets near the entrance of the DCU Center, and could be hear chanting various anti-Trump sentiments.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
This young man's pants left no doubt. He is a big fan of two things—Donald Trump, and the United States of America.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
These four Trump fans wore their support proudly on their chest, and they weren't the only ones. Many fans could be seen sporting Trump hats, shirts, buttons and more as they filed into the DCU Center.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
These two said they were proud to support Donald Trump in his bid for the Presidency.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
You could call this protestor a "one-issue voter." He mixed calls for the return of his favorite discontinued soft drink in with chants criticizing Trump's immigration stance.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
For these Trump fans, it was a family affair. The whole bunch turned out to support their favorite candidate.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
The cold weather didn't bother this Trump fan. He said he decided to purchase a Donald Trump-branded jacket or sweatshirt inside the DCU Center.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
These two Trump fans were "red"-y to see their hero in action!
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
These clever protestors turned Donald Trump's famous catchphrase around on him.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
There were plenty of young fans on hand for Donald Trump's speech in Worcester. These two made their feelings on Trump, and his immigration stance, very clear.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
Trump had the chance to see him name up in lights on the DCU Center jumbo-screen. It must have been quite the thrill!
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
Donald Trump made his entrance at roughly 7:30 PM to nearly deafening applause. He paused for a moment to soak it all in.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
Trump walked confidently to the podium after being introduced as the large crowd cheer and chanted his name.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
Trump fans inside were loud, and cheered the Donald often. They also made sure to snap their own photos of their favorite candidate while they had the chance.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
Trump fans in Massachusetts came from near and far to get a glimpse of Donald Trump live and in person.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
Standing room only—the DCU Center was nearly filled with supporters who got on their feet early and stayed there for most of Trump's hour-long speech.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
Even inside the DCU Center, Trump could not escape the protestors. These unhappy attendees attracted a lot of attention, but were whisked out of the arena by security after only a few seconds.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
Trump said time and time again to the crowd gathered in Worcester that he would "make America great again" through smart immigration and trade policies.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
Trump said he was glad to be in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and pleased fans by talking about the greatness of hometown hero Tom Brady.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
Trump was all smiles when one of his jokes drew big laughs from the crowd of supporters.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
Trump supporters chanted his famous slogan, "make America great again," before, during and after his speech at the DCU Center.
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Donald Trump at the DCU Center
When Donald Trump finally finished his speech, he drew the loudest applause of the night. Fans waved signs, chanted his name and tried desperately to snap one last photo of their departing hero.
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