Hundreds march to KC City Hall in protest of Donald Trump

Political fireworks and opposing ideologies were absent as a diverse group gathered Friday in Kansas City to protest newly sworn-in President Donald Trump.

Participants were young and old alike, some middle-aged and others young enough to still fit in the arms of their mothers.

Some were gay. Others were transgender. A great deal of them was straight.

Their ethnicities were just as eclectic — black, white, Asian and Hispanic.

Noah Losapio, an 18-year-old who identifies as a transgender male, was among them.

Losapio joined hundreds of people near the steps of Liberty Memorial and marched to City Hall in downtown Kansas City in protest of Trump.

Once at City Hall, speakers took positions at the top of the steps and led those gathered in a chant of “Not my president!” — exactly as they had during a similar protest Nov. 9, but with at least twice as many people.

Liz Hale, of Kansas City, brought her 9-year-old son, Will, to the protest. Will had made his own small protest sign, which read “God Help Us!!”

“I feel we have someone in power now who is pretty reprehensible,” Hale said. “I don’t pray but … I’m thinking about taking it up.”

One small group dressed all in black carried a coffin for what they said was a “mock funeral for our great world.”

Kansas City police and Jackson County sheriff’s deputies blocked traffic to allow marchers to pass safely. A number of marchers paused as they marched along Grand Avenue to thank law enforcement positioned on the sidewalk and parking lots.

“Thank you for all that you do and for keeping us safe,” several marchers told deputies and Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers.

Many of the law enforcement officers nodded and smiled at marchers as they walked by.

As much as Losapio wanted to believe he is free to live his life without pause, he is frightened of what he perceives as a changing political climate — one he believes will be less tolerant of minorities.

“I am afraid of Trump’s America,” Losapio said. “He’s started a lot of hate against any and every minority. As a minority, that’s not OK. If I didn’t feel safe in this country before as a transgender man, now I really don’t.”

The sign-wielding Losapio — his written message was one of tolerance — was at the rally with friend Forrest Obedear of Lee’s Summit. The 20-year-old Obedear identifies as a gay man. He said he was apprehensive that the new administration is not concerned about the rights of gay people.

“Trump basically goes against everything that I believe in, rights-wise,” Obedear said. “Now that he is actually in office, I think my rights as a gay male will dissipate as well as the rights of other people. And that’s my main thing. I am really about equality for all.”

Paul Showalter, a 70-year-old retiree from Shawnee, said he hoped that young people at the rally would continue to unite to press for change over the next four years.

Despite a relatively calm rally, Showalter said young people should stay vigilant throughout Trump’s presidency.

“Young people need to take up the fight,” Showalter said. “We cannot get beat at home. We have to build a movement, and it takes all kinds of people, workers and students alike. It’s going to be a long battle.”

This story was originally published January 20, 2017 at 2:45 PM with the headline "Hundreds march to KC City Hall in protest of Donald Trump."