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Moore, de Blasio and celebs call for ‘100 days of resistance’

Actor Alec Baldwin doing his "Saturday Night Live" Donald Trump impression at Thursday night's massive rally. Photos by Milo Hess
Actor Alec Baldwin doing his “Saturday Night Live” Donald Trump impression at Thursday night’s massive rally. Photos by Milo Hess

BY JACKSON CHEN | A star-studded rally outside Trump International Hotel Thursday night aimed to ignite a 100-day resistance movement against the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump.

“We are here united in protecting our family, friends, neighbors, fellow New Yorkers and people across this great nation during his time in office,” actor Rosie Perez, a Brooklynite, said. “Donald Trump is from this city, he is a New Yorker. And yet he has spread a message across the country that is the opposite of who we are as New Yorkers.”

Kicking off the evening, Perez introduced Hollywood icons like Robert De Niro, Mark Ruffalo, Alec Baldwin and Julianne Moore, alongside Michael Moore, Natalie Merchant and Cher, all united in standing against a Trump administration.

Actress Rosie Perez kicked off the rally.
Actress Rosie Perez kicked off the rally.

“We’re all rooting for the new administration to abandon the divisive, racist, misogynist, ignorant plans it’s trumpeting and lead us with intelligence and compassion,” De Niro said.

Mayor Bill de Blasio joined the thousands of attendees in cheering the final night of Barack Obama’s administration. As soon as the mayor mentioned the peaceful transition of power taking place the following day in Washington, the crowd was united in booing. But de Blasio emphasized that Trump’s first day in the presidency also would be the first day of action for the many who oppose his plans for the next four years.

Mayor de Blasio held up a copy of the Mayors' Pledge, which contains a range of issues that he is vowing to advocate for — from defending immigrants to protecting the environment.
Mayor de Blasio held up a copy of the Mayors’ Pledge, which contains a range of issues that he and other mayors are vowing to advocate for — from defending immigrants to protecting the environment.

“Some people think we’re going to be dejected. Some people think we’re going to be in a state of mourning, that we’re just going to shirk away from playing any role in our nation,” the mayor said. “No, tomorrow we begin to organize. Tomorrow we gather together. Look at the thousands here tonight — and this is only the beginning.”

Tens of thousands of people came to Columbus Circle for the massive outpouring of concern and resolve.
Tens of thousands of people came to Columbus Circle for the communal outpouring of concern and commitment to resolve in the face of the new administration in Washington.

The thousands came to Columbus Circle from all over the city, and also the suburbs, all united resistance to the Trump presidency.

“This isn’t about politics, this is about Donald Trump. Those of us in Manhattan have been used to this for the last 30 years,” said Nick Beef, a West Villager. “It’s a man who talks and has no action… . It’s all about him, not our country.”

Michael Moore urged the thousands in the crowd to wage a 100-day campaign of resistance against the new president.
Michael Moore urged the thousands in the crowd to wage a 100-day campaign of resistance against the new president.

Coming down from Westchester County, Theo Allen was proud to carry signs protesting the president-to-be.

“This president has decried women, people with disabilities, L.G.B.T.Q. community members, and has divided us, not united us,” Allen said at the rally. “As a citizen of these United States, I cannot allow us to be a divided nation.”

...and your side also got 3 million more votes!
…and Hillary also got 3 million more votes!

One of the event’s main organizers, the filmmaker and activist Michael Moore, had a stark but also empowering message for the crowd that filled Central Park West.

“First the bad news: As sad as we think it’s going to be, it’s going to be worse,” Moore said. “But here is the good news: The good news is there’s more of us than there are of them!”

Robert De Niro, who previously said he wanted to punch Trump in the face, but has softened his stance a bit, is hoping for the best.
Robert De Niro, who previously had said he wanted to punch Trump in the face, but has softened his stance a bit, is hoping for the best.

Moore noted that the Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, won close to 3 million more votes than Trump and there were more than 7 million others who voted for neither the Republican nor Democratic candidate.

“This is the beginning of our 100 days of resistance, and that’s just the first 100 days,” Moore said. “Every day, you have to contact your member of Congress or one of your two senators. It takes three minutes: Wake up, brush teeth, make coffee, contact Congress. That’s the new morning routine.”

Actress Julianne Moore was among the concerned celebrities speaking at the rally on the eve of the inauguration.
Actress Julianne Moore was among the concerned celebrities speaking at the rally on the eve of the inauguration.

And many have already started taking action by organizing the Women’s March on Washington on Sat., Jan. 21, starting at 10 a.m., the day following the swearing in of the nation’s new president. In New York City, a similar march (Women’s March on New York City at Facebook) is planned for 10:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., starting at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at 47th Street between First and Second Aves.

Politically active actor Mark Ruffalo joined the call for resistance.
Politically active actor Mark Ruffalo joined the call for resistance.

As the rally concluded with Natalie Merchant leading a celebrity-jam cover of “This Land is Your Land,” the crowd began walking east toward Trump Tower on Fifth Ave., where they were met with a large force of New York Police Department officers and barricades. But, the words of Moore, Ruffalo and Baldwin fueled the crowd to continue their protest, no matter the restrictions.

"You're Putin me on...": A demonstrator's sign at the start of the rally.
“Are you Putin me on?”: A demonstrator’s sign at the start of the rally focused on the strange “bromance” between Trump and Russian strongman Putin.

“Donald Trump and Steve Bannon and Mike Pence and all these people that are part of the Trump administration, they think you’re going to lay [sic] down,” Baldwin said to the crowd. “Are you going to lay down?”

The crowd shouted back, “No!”

“Are you going to fight?”

“Yes!”

“Are we going to have 100 days of resistance?”

“Yes!”