#NotMyPresident protesters march in downtown Miami

Traffic blocked on Biscayne Boulevard, MacArthur Causeway, I-95 NB

MIAMI – As President-elect Donald Trump moved to set up his team, about 20 reports of racist incidents were emerging from schools and universities across the nation. Some students chanted "white power" and others called black classmates "cotton pickers." 

The racial backlash related to the results of the presidential election also included a videotaped assault in Chicago that was linked to a traffic dispute. It showed black men beating a white man. All while onlookers screamed, "You voted Trump."

In Portland, Oregon, demonstrators smashed windows and set trash afire Thursday night. Large protests erupted in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago and New York. There were smaller protests in Detroit; Minneapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; Olympia, Washington and Iowa City. 

On Friday night, it was Miami's turn. Hundreds of #NotMyPresident protesters showed up with signs and flags. Some said they feared Trump's policies were going to hurt women, the LGBT community, undocumented migrants, the Black Lives Matter movement and the Islamic community. 

There were babies, children, teenagers and adults of every age group. There were students from Miami-Dade College, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, St. Thomas and the University of Miami.

They marched peacefully and loudly -- all while disrupting traffic at Biscayne Boulevard, the MacArthur Causeway and Interstate 95.

About 6:15 p.m. at Bayfront Park, hundreds followed a group holding up a black and red sign: "Dump Trump. No Hate in FL." 

They walked northbound on Biscayne Boulevard to the MacArthur Causeway, where they blocked traffic on both directions. They crossed to return to Biscayne Boulevard about 7:15 p.m.

Members of the Black Lives Matter movement marched with advocates of immigration reform, students concerned about global warming and LGBT rights protesters holding and wearing rainbow flags. They all had something in common: They don't trust Trump. 

They chanted "Black Lives Matter,"  "Love Trumps Hate" and "My body, My Choice."

The group of at least 300 marched southbound on Biscayne Boulevard and stopped in front of three police cars, before approaching the AmericanAirlines Arena. 

Residents of the towers overlooking Biscayne Bay reported hearing them shout: "U.S.A., No Trump, No KKK, No racist U.S.A. ... No racist U.S.A., Not My President, Not My President." 

Some took turns to sing YG & Nipsey Hussle's " [Expletive] Donald Trump."  In Louisiana, a university football coach disciplined four players in response to a locker room video showing members of the team dancing and singing the lyrics of the profane anti-Trump rap song. 

 A group holding a long white sign with a famous Simone de Beauvoir quote -- "All Oppression Creates A State of War" --  led the way as they continued walking southbound on Biscayne Boulevard. 

There were also "Si Se Puede" chants, Spanish for "Yes We Can."  And "Las razas unidas jamas seran vencidas," Spanish for "The races united will never be defeated." 

Police said residents at luxury condominiums overlooking Biscayne Bay threw things at protesters from their balconies. There were a few injuries. 

When marchers reached the end of Biscayne Boulevard, they turned westbound on Southeast Second Street. And they walked up the ramp to Interstate 95 northbound. 

There were traffic delays all the way to South Dixie Highway, as police blocked traffic to make way for the protesters. They walked slowly and stopped to show off their signs to drivers traveling on I-95 southbound.

After a disagreement among protesters about which direction to go, the group got off Interstate 95 at the ramp to walk eastbound to MacArthur Causeway. They returned to Biscayne Boulevard and dispersed shortly after.

City of Miami Police and the Florida Highway Patrol kept a close watch to keep drivers and protesters safe.

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About the Authors:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

Andrew Perez is a South Florida native who joined the Local 10 News team in May 2014.