A group of anti-Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) activists attempted to stage a demonstration to “reject Trumpism” Monday evening in Washington, D.C., but half of the group bailed, citing hunger and restlessness.
The “large-scale march” was supposed to start at 5:30 p.m. near the the Supreme Court. About 20 to 30 United Auto Workers Local 51 members bused in from Chicago planned to join in and waited for the march to kick off.
But once the clock hit 5:30, the group grew tired and decided to ditch the protest.
“Reject Trumpism” Rally: Mike Raust/The Daily Caller
Restrooms were no longer open at the Capitol Visitors Center and some members wanted to move to Union Station after complaining about hunger and the need to use the bathroom. The group came to an agreement to leave — just minutes before the other half of protesters arrived.
“They came in from Chicago, and were exhausted,” Margaret Flowers, co-director of Popular Resistance, a group that touts itself as leading the fight against the TPP, told The Daily Caller News Foundation. Flowers conceded that, “in terms of numbers it wasn’t great,” but she added, “in terms of energy it was great.”
“I think the Chicago people did a great job,” Kevin Zeese, co-director of Popular Resistance said, explaining that UAW Local 51 was present earlier in the day for a march in Freedom Plaza that eventually led to the shut down of a major Washington, D.C. thoroughfare. The blockade snarled traffic just blocks from the Capitol Building.
“These days, protests are about getting your message out in social media, and that worked out fine,” Zeese told TheDCNF. “This is a new campaign to defeat corporate-domination of our government, and Trump is a part of that.”
Send Tips to ted@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.