This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/14/nyregion/trump-new-york-city-visit.html

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Protesters Determined to Give Trump an Unpleasant Welcome Home to Manhattan Thousands Give Trump Bronx Cheers as He Returns to Manhattan Home
(about 2 hours later)
More than a thousand protesters converged in Midtown Manhattan on Monday evening, marching, chanting and waving signs ahead of President Trump’s first return to his Fifth Avenue penthouse since taking office. Thousands of protesters lined the streets around Trump Tower late Monday, providing a resounding chorus of dissent as Donald J. Trump returned to his high-rise penthouse on Fifth Avenue for the first time as president.
The demonstrators, who lined several blocks outside Trump Tower and also gathered just south near Bryant Park, were determined to give the president a discordant welcome home. Many people said recent events that caused alarm — the deadly white nationalists’ rally in Virginia; Mr. Trump’s tepid condemnation of it; and his threats of “fire and fury” toward North Korea — inspired them to show up. Mr. Trump arrived by helicopter in Lower Manhattan shortly before 9 p.m. and then made his way north in the presidential limousine for the roughly six-mile drive to his soaring Midtown Manhattan building. Throngs of protesters, who had camped outside Trump Tower for hours, awaited his arrival, waving signs, chanting and marching, determined to make sure he heard their disapproval.
“Shame! Shame!” people chanted as his limousine arrived.
But Mr. Trump avoided a confrontation with the demonstrators. His presidential motorcade avoided Fifth Avenue and pulled up to Trump Tower after driving the wrong way on a one-way street.
The president, a lifelong New Yorker, loves the city, but most residents do not love him back. The city did not vote for him in the presidential election, and its leaders have lined up against him as vocal opponents.
On Monday, protesters hoped to remind him of their longtime dissatisfaction and their fresh concerns about his presidency.
Richard Wilson, 48, who lives in Brooklyn, joined the crowd as the president arrived home, standing on his bicycle to see over the heads of other people. Mr. Wilson said it was the first demonstration he had joined against Mr. Trump during his presidency.
“This is like a tantrum,” Mr. Wilson said, describing the presidency so far. “Like the majority of the stuff he does.”
Many people said recent events that caused alarm — the deadly white nationalists’ rally in Virginia, Mr. Trump’s tepid condemnation of it, and his threats of “fire and fury” toward North Korea — had inspired them to show up.
“Every week it’s something new,” said Michael Wang, a 36-year-old artist and consultant in New York who was holding a sign outside Trump Tower that read, “Nuclear war is not a ratings game.”“Every week it’s something new,” said Michael Wang, a 36-year-old artist and consultant in New York who was holding a sign outside Trump Tower that read, “Nuclear war is not a ratings game.”
The groups began to gather around 5 p.m., filling sidewalks and disrupting normal traffic near Trump Tower, erupting at times into clashes with police officers. Dozens of officers formed a single-file wall outside Trump Tower, and some unruly protesters were yanked from the crowd. The groups began to gather around 5 p.m., filling sidewalks and disrupting normal traffic near Trump Tower, erupting at times into clashes with police officers. Dozens of officers formed a single-file wall outside the building, and some unruly protesters were yanked from the crowd.
By 7:30 p.m., two demonstrators had been arrested, the police said. Details about the episodes were not available. By 9:15 p.m., two demonstrators had been arrested, the police said. Details about the episodes were not available.
At the same time, another demonstration began, as several hundred people began to snake their way from the New York Public Library near Bryant Park to Columbus Circle, before joining the other group on Fifth Avenue. Mr. Trump was expected to arrive at Trump Tower shortly after 9 p.m. A smaller demonstration began around 5 p.m. outside the New York Public Library near Bryant Park. The protesters marched and chanted to Columbus Circle.
Heidi Dorow, a 52-year-old grant maker, said that Monday’s protest carried more importance after the unrest in Virginia over the weekend.Heidi Dorow, a 52-year-old grant maker, said that Monday’s protest carried more importance after the unrest in Virginia over the weekend.
“It’s important in these moments for white people to make a public stance against racism, against white supremacy and be public and vocal about that,” Ms. Dorow said before joining the march though Midtown. “It’s important in these moments for white people to make a public stance against racism, against white supremacy, and be public and vocal about that,” Ms. Dorow said before joining the march though Midtown.
The first time Donald J. Trump visited New York City as president, in May, was brief. He ended up staying only about four hours, and he never set foot inside his Manhattan home. The demonstrations on Monday were largely peaceful, but some anti-Trump protesters clashed with the president’s supporters. As the two sides shouted obscenities, Magdalena Black, a critic of the president, struck up a brief but largely civil political conversation with David Casavis, 65, who was wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat.
Mr. Trump’s current trip was to begin on Sunday and last four days, during which he would at last sleep in his own bed. He was scheduled to arrive by helicopter at 8:45 p.m. Monday in Manhattan, landing at a Wall Street heliport before heading to his home. He was scheduled to have a phone conversation with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan at 9:30 p.m., according to a schedule issued by the White House. Mr. Trump plans to remain in Manhattan until Wednesday, when he travels to his country club in Bedminster, N.J. “It’s not about economics; it’s about racism,” Ms. Black told Mr. Casavis about the president’s rise. Mr. Casavis said he disagreed, as a police officer approached and asked Ms. Black to clear the sidewalk.
Demonstrators said they were determined Mr. Trump, during his trip from Lower Manhattan to Trump Tower, could see or hear the protests. “We’re having political discourse,” she told the officer, pleading with him to allow them to continue talking. He made her move.
After a protest by white nationalists in Charlottesville, Va., on Saturday erupted into violence and led to a deadly car rampage, concerns have escalated over what Mr. Trump’s arrival in New York might provoke. The first time Mr. Trump visited New York City as president, in May, was brief. He ended up staying only about four hours, and he never set foot inside his Manhattan home. After his arrival on Monday, he was scheduled to have a phone conversation with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan at 9:30 p.m., according to a schedule issued by the White House. Mr. Trump plans to remain in Manhattan until Wednesday, when he is to travel to his country club in Bedminster, N.J.
“There’s no finer police department in the world when it comes to protecting the right to protest and ensuring the safety of all,” Austin Finan, a spokesman for Mayor Bill de Blasio, said in an email earlier on Monday. “The N.Y.P.D. can handle it.” Mr. Trump’s visit resulted in some street closings on Monday afternoon around Trump Tower — 55th and 58th Streets between Avenue of the Americas and Madison Avenue were closed to vehicle traffic, while a limited number of vehicles, like those making deliveries, were allowed onto 56th Street.
Mr. Trump’s visit has resulted in some street closings around Trump Tower — 55th and 58th Streets between Avenue of the Americas and Madison Avenue were closed to vehicle traffic, while a limited number of vehicles, like those making deliveries, were allowed onto 56th Street. The New York Police Department placed a wall of officers in front of Trump Tower as a barrier between protesters and the entrance of the building. Behind them, 12 city sanitation trucks loaded with dirt were parked end to end to form a barrier on the south side of Fifth Avenue.
“The N.Y.P.D. is ready for any and all contingencies,” J. Peter Donald, a spokesman for the Police Department, said in an email. A space cordoned off by metal barricades stretched along Fifth Avenue from 52nd to 55th Streets, occupying one lane of traffic. It was meant to be a holding pen for protesters, the police said.
On Monday afternoon there were new metal detectors in the lobby of Trump Tower, funneling visitors and tourists through a visibly heavier police presence.
“I think it’s kind of crazy,” said Nancy Sgariglia, 60, who was visiting from Webster, Mass., as she snapped photos of the tower’s logo looming above police officers holding rifles and men and women in Kevlar vests with “Secret Service” stitched across their chests. “Why the weapons like this — do you think it’s necessary?”
In front of the building, 12 city sanitation trucks loaded with dirt were parked end to end to form a barrier on the south side of Fifth Avenue. A space cordoned off by metal barricades stretched along Fifth Avenue from 52nd to 55th Streets, occupying one lane of traffic. It was meant to be a holding pen for protesters, the police said.
Merchants peddling pro- or anti-Trump items, who were once a fixture outside the building but had largely disappeared, were back on Monday selling their wares. Bennett Weiss, 71, a retired jeweler from Newburgh, N.Y., was selling anti-Trump pins he had stuck onto a black umbrella. “It’s $2 each, three for $5 or free if they don’t have any cash,” Mr. Weiss said.Merchants peddling pro- or anti-Trump items, who were once a fixture outside the building but had largely disappeared, were back on Monday selling their wares. Bennett Weiss, 71, a retired jeweler from Newburgh, N.Y., was selling anti-Trump pins he had stuck onto a black umbrella. “It’s $2 each, three for $5 or free if they don’t have any cash,” Mr. Weiss said.
“If you want people to think you are a decent human being, wear an ‘Impeach Trump’ button,” Mr. Weiss said to one passer-by. “If you want people to think you are a decent human being, wear an ‘Impeach Trump’ button,” he said to one passer-by.
Liz Karkoff, 39, who was visiting Manhattan from Westchester County, bought a pin for her 3-year-old daughter. It said, “Love Trumps Hate.” The crowd outside Trump Tower tapered off after Mr. Trump’s arrival. The neighborhood showed signs of returning to normal, with a group of teenagers pedaling on their bicycles on 57th Street moments after it reopened.
Bending down, she told the toddler that “Trump doesn’t use kind words,” and that protesters were going to tell Mr. Trump that they don’t like that and want a new president. Protesters started to leave — but not for good.
“Is he here yet?” the little girl asked. “Welcome home!” one person yelled outside Trump Tower. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”