Donald Trump arrived in Philadelphia on Thursday to meet with Mike Pence, Paul Ryan, and congressional Republicans holding a three day GOP retreat in the city, and despite its moniker as The City of Brotherly Love, the president did not exactly receive the warmest welcome from Philadelphians ahead of his visit. Not only is Philadelphia a largely Democratic city, home to a large number of immigrants and a vibrant LGBTQ community that overwhelmingly voted for Hillary Clinton is the 2016 election, but Trump is especially unwelcome in light of recent threats to pull funding from sanctuary cities that refuse to comply with immigration officials.
On Wednesday night, prior to the president’s visit, more than 1,000 people attended a “Queer Rager” dance party in the streets outside of the Loews hotel, where the retreat is being held — reminiscent of the event outside of Mike Pence’s house in Washington D.C. recently. But the real party started on Thursday as thousands took to the streets to protest Trump, just a few short blocks from where last weekend’s women’s march took place.
As people started tweeting photos and the protest began trending on Twitter, it became pretty clear that Philadelphia wants absolutely nothing to do with Trump.
Republicans. Please clean up after the President. #Trump #GOPRetreat #TrumpInPhilly pic.twitter.com/3L1JPL3Cws
— Trolley Roger (@TrolleyRoger) January 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/BrianPHickey/status/824681071208005632
Protest level: expert. #ResistanceInPhilly #GOPretreat pic.twitter.com/zqeQTlW4l6
— jawnifer (@jenniferaphael) January 26, 2017
Protesters getting rowdy, righteous and numerous with #IBelieveThatWeWillWin chant #TrumpinPhilly #ResistanceInPhilly pic.twitter.com/yYvtkwySn1
— Paul Costa (@Oreland827) January 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/mindyisser/status/824674281930031106
View from Arch Street. #TrumpinPhilly pic.twitter.com/O9Xz6GkGC7
— Jason Nark (@JasonNark) January 26, 2017
ALL are welcome here. #GuacTrumpsHate #NoBanNoWall #TrumpInPhilly #GuacHimUp #LOVE pic.twitter.com/b8ZPPib0up
— Jose Pistola's (@JosePistolas) January 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/JannieKamanLau/status/824659807617646592
https://twitter.com/gabrielaphl/status/824673201066278912
https://twitter.com/AndreFDelValle/status/824675723675926528
"Sorry World, we'll fix this."#TrumpinPhilly pic.twitter.com/WF6UeZ55FQ
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) January 26, 2017
#TrumpinPhilly protests take place across from #Philly City Hall. @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/oAvar4zFwm
— Dave Kinchen 🇺🇸 (@DaveKinchenUSA) January 26, 2017
Welcome to Philly, GOP… Be sure to look up while you're here: https://t.co/c1WfS28amU #SignsOfSolidarityPHL #TrumpInPhilly pic.twitter.com/eyW7rVFEhv
— Conrad Benner (@StreetsDept) January 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/mfhughes1/status/824671565925253122
https://twitter.com/ResistanceMove/status/824669776123494402
"Tweet others as you want to be tweeted!" #TrumpinPhilly #protestsigns pic.twitter.com/wE4SvotTb3
— Stephanie Haynes (@schaynes) January 26, 2017
Massive crowd at Thomas Paine Plaza #gopretreat #TrumpinPhilly pic.twitter.com/UgiB8HRLLt
— Green Philly (@greenphilly_) January 26, 2017
Trash trucks block the entrance to #GOPretreat. How fitting. #ResistanceInPhilly pic.twitter.com/EhZHPKoE1f
— Philly We Rise (@phillywerise) January 26, 2017
View from my office to Thomas Paine Plaza.🙋 #TrumpinPhilly #Gopretreat #ProtectOurCare pic.twitter.com/mkUXLLB1Z5
— Mariel Lorenz (@YesitsMariel) January 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/EAFiedler/status/824673582974455809
Better luck next time, Drumpf.