A few hundred protesters gathered at the Georgia World Congress Center on Friday as President Donald Trump held a campaign event for black voters.
Danae Roache, a sophomore at Georgia State University, wasn't old enough to vote against Trump in his first election, but she will next time. This morning, after learning of the president's Atlanta visit, she spent five minutes dashing out her thoughts on a sign: "you can't have our votes ... you can't have our voices," she wrote.
The east Cobb County native was referring to the name of Trump's new organization. She said it was "audacious" for him to think he could have the voices of black people.
"He's done too much, not only to our people, but to other people. Too much harm, too much hate."
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She came to the rally with her childhood friend, Austin Reed, also a sophomore at GSU. Reed said he doesn't like how Trump demonizes groups, such as Hispanics. "Lies about they're rapists, saying they're murders. And no one I know in that community is like that at all!"
Some Trump supporters defended the president outside the event.
Savannah resident Jerrod Brown sparred with protesters, saying they should give Trump a chance because the black community is suffering.
"I'm not a Democrat or a Republican," he said. "I'm a black man out here trying to learn."
Nina Watts, a Dunwoody florist who was holding that "I really do care!!!" sign said: "what do I care about? Our democracy."
She elaborated: "I'd like a president who doesn't feel he's above the law, a president who can speak in complete sentences. "
The other side of her sign said "impeach and remove," with a picture of the president.
Has she spoke, passing cars honked, and a couple musicians on the sidewalk across the street played jazz.
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