Hundreds Rally at State House Against Trump’s Immigration Ban

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)-  Hundreds of Demonstrators flooded the State House grounds Tuesday evening to protest President Donald Trump’s travel ban barring citizens of seven predominantly Muslim nations from entry into the United States.

“I hope that it would send the message that love is greater than fear,” demonstrator, Caleb Bethea said.

Protesters overflowed from the State House to side walks on Main and Gervais Street passionately protesting for a little more than two hours.

“It was so exciting,” demonstrator, Sydney Arsenald said. “It was really awesome to be with a group of people who feel passionate about the same thing.”

Tuesday night people of all ages and different backgrounds were holding up signs, showing solidarity while chanting for change.

“I fully believe in standing up for those who can’t right now,” demonstrator, Abigail Anderson said.

“It made me feel like I was really making a difference,” young protester, Nathan Mullins said.

In light of President Trumps executive order, the Refugee Task force of the Carolina Peace Resource Center hosted this event.
“The idea of millions of kids being displaced because of violence at their homes breaks my heart, especially when we have the option of helping them and right now that’s not happening,” Bethea said.

One Midlands resident told ABC Columbia that he has been affected by the ban. Amirali Javadinia said his wife was suppose to fly home in next month after visiting her family, but got stopped in Dubai.

“She is just an innocent girl,” Javadinia said. “Please let people with valid visas come to the U.S. and be with their families,” he said as a plea to President Trump.

Seeing the turn out of this event has made him hopeful.

“I didn’t expect this many people to come here, but I’m very happy,” Javadinia said.

“We’re all human, we all live on the same planet, so why shouldn’t we have the right to go where we want to go, live where we want to live,” Mullins said.