Wyatt Miner • The Daily Beacon
1,100 silently march in Market Square Chris Salvemini News Editor
More than 1,100 people gathered in Market Square on Wednesday, Feb. 1, in response to President Trump’s executive order that restricted refugees and visa and green card holders from entering the U.S. The executive order signed on Jan. 27 barred citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia and Sudan from entering the country. It also temporarily stopped the refugee program in the U.S. for 120 days and brought the number of refugees allowed entry into the U.S. down to 50,000 from 110,000. Marchers started by gathering in the square as organizers asked attendees for a moment of silence for immigrants who could not enter the U.S. Afterwards, the marchers filed through Wall Avenue on the north end of Market Square and walked down Gay Street before turning onto Main Street and gathering in front of the Knox County General Sessions building. “I’m just here to show my support for those who are refugees, who are immigrants, those who are green card holders or approved visa holders who are being detained and sent away from our country. I’m here to support our refugee community,” Michelle Long, a marcher, said. People carried signs reading “Stop war not people. Save the Syrian refugees,” and “Love Trumps hate.” Few, if any, counter-protesters showed up during the demonstration. “I think more things like this are crucial. I also think we need to organize. We need organize our communities and other communities around us,” David Hayes, a marcher, said. See MARCH on Page 3
Volume 133 Issue 12
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Thursday, February 2, 2017