More than a hundred protestors gathered at Lafayette Square on Wednesday night (Nov. 6) to protest Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election.  

Members of the crowd said they were worried about  a variety of issues — LGBTQIA+ rights, immigration policy, local policing, Israel’s military attacks on Gaza and the West Bank — and vowed to fight back against what they expect to be repressive federal policy under Trump. 

The Queer Trans Community Action Project, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Ports (NOSHIP), New Orleans Community Oversight of the Police and Union Migrante were a few of the group’s with representatives who spoke at the event.

Vulnerable populations, such as immigrants, people of color and LGBTQIA+ people gained their civil rights “not at the ballot box, but in the streets,” Naomi Retherford, a member of the Queer and Trans Community Action Project, said during a speech at the rally. Retherford added that the best way to fight Trump’s agenda is on the state and local level.

PHOTOS: Activists march through New Orleans to protest Trump winning election

  • Alo Vera chants while carrying a sign and marching through the Central Business District during a protest on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Heather Awyan carries a Palestinian flag and wears a keffiyeh while marching on Loyola Avenue on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Signs that were carried by protesters during the march throughout the Central Business District on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Laura Benitez (left) described the rally at Lafayette Square as “emotional” and “important. Shahesta Khalaf, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization and the Palestinian Youth Movement holds a sign reading “Victory 2 Palestine”. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Felix Allen, Atticus Pratt and Shreyas Vasudevan march through the Central Business District on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Antonia Mar leads chants that vocalized sentiments against Trump, the Republican Party and the killing of Palestinians during the march throughout the Central Business District on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Immigrant rights were a key issue amongst protesters at the march on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Sam Gonson carries a banner that reads, “Stand with Palestine” at the march throughout the Central Business District on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Protesters gather in the streets in response to Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Atticus Pratt holds a sign reading “Arms Embargo Now” while marching on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Molly Frayle holds a sign that reads, “Victory 2 Palestine.” Greyzia Barrio (middle) spoke at the rally in Spanish, Edith Romero (white shirt) interpreted her speech for the crowd on Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Natasha Robles, a member of Code Pink, holds a sign that reads “USA + Israel killed over 2.100 babies

After about an hour in Lafayette Square the group marched through New Orleans’ Central Business District, down Canal Street and then to City Hall, before looping around and finishing back at Lafayette Square.

“The purpose of the protest was to reject the coming changes with the Trump administration based on his rhetoric and his current campaign, the right wing agenda,” said Shreyas Vasudevan, a spokesperson for NOSHIP.  

“This isn’t something brand new, but because of Trump’s National victory, [it’s] just a reminder that all of us need to be in solidarity with each other right now.”

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