Marchers in Center City protest Donald Trump's visit
CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- Protests continued well into Thursday evening around the Loews Hotel in Center City Philadelphia, despite President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence's departure from the GOP Retreat.
"It sucks to sit in traffic, but it's for a great reason," said Katrinya Rodgers of Fishtown.
Activists demonstrated all day for various issues that have proven controversial in the first days of President Trump's administration.
"It's ridiculous, there's no reason to build a wall," said Katie Fredericks of Center City.
"The ACA is what allows me to be a productive member of society," said Maggie Mills of North Wales.
The Office of Emergency Management says at its peak, the city saw almost 3,000 protesters, many of them congregating near Center City's Loews Hotel, home of this week's GOP Retreat.
"We knew it would be in the thousands, but I don't know if we thought that they would be marching in this mass," said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross. "We were still prepared for just about anything."
Including protesters trying to break through a line of police officers at Juniper and Walnut.
"It's been crazy. I think it's too quick to judge somebody," said Brent Williams from Davidson, Michigan.
"Four years, I could understand a protest. But four days? Come on! You have to give everyone a clean slate," said Nathan Peachey of Middleburg.
We asked Betsy Jensen of Chinatown if at any point she thinks Trump should be given a chance.
"No, no I won't," said Jensen.
"This isn't about coming to accept him, it's about using our rights as citizens to prevent the harm that he's constitutionally capable of," said John Wright of Chinatown.
On Wednesday night, hundreds of LGBTQ activists danced and demonstrated outside the Loews Hotel at 12th on Market streets.
