An impersonator of U.S. President Donald Trump stands in front of the White House during a demonstration against Trump on President's Day in Washington, Feb. 18, 2019. (Photo: Joshua Roberts/Reuters)
Activists in Washington, Chicago and dozens of other U.S. cities protested on Monday's Presidents Day holiday against President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to secure funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Calling Trump's declaration an abuse of power and usurpation of Congress, organizers with the nonprofit advocacy group MoveOn.org and other participants said it was important to let the outrage over the move be heard.
“We disagree with the state of emergency declared by the president and stand with our immigrant colleagues and friends,” said Darcy Regan, executive director of Indivisible Chicago, which co-hosted the protest there.
People hold signs during a demonstration against U.S. President Donald Trump on President's day near the White House in Washington, Feb. 18, 2019. (Photo: Joshua Roberts/Reuters)
Trump invoked the emergency powers on Friday after Congress declined to fulfill his request for $5.7 billion to help build the wall that was his signature 2016 campaign promise. His move aims to let him spend money appropriated by Congress for other purposes.
The Republican president says a wall is needed to curb illegal immigrants and illicit drugs coming across the border. Democrats and opponents of the wall say it is unnecessary.
The protests in Chicago and Washington each drew a few hundred people on Monday afternoon.
Protesters gathered in Chicago’s Federal Plaza carried signs that read “Dump Trump” and “Fake Emergency" and chanted “No wall, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.” (Reuters)
Activists rally for a President's Day protest against US President Donald Trump in Lafayette Square near the White House Feb. 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
People walk past an activist dressed as a character from the TV show The Handmaid's Tale during a protest against US President Donald Trump immigration policy near the White House Feb. 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
An activist dressed in effigy of US President Donald Trump participates in a President's Day protest against US President Donald Trump immigration policy in Lafayette Square near the White House Feb. 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
An activist holds a sign while gathering with others for a President's Day protest against US President Donald Trump in Lafayette Square near the White House Feb. 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
People gather to protest US President Donald Trump during Presidents' Day in Lafayette Square near the White House on Feb. 18, 2019 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
An activist holds a sign to protest US President Donald Trump during Presidents' Day in Lafayette Square near the White House on Feb. 18, 2019 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
Jay Platt holds a sign during a protest in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. People gathered on the Presidents Day holiday to protest President Donald Trump's recent national emergency declaration. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
An activist dressed as an of effigy of US President Donald Trump is interviewed while protesting during Presidents' Day in Lafayette Square near the White House on Feb. 18, 2019 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
People look at an activist dressed in effigy of US President Donald Trump during a protest during Presidents' Day in Lafayette Square, near the White House on Feb. 18, 2019 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
Protestors hold signs in a crosswalk in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. People gathered on the Presidents Day holiday to protest President Donald Trump's recent national emergency declaration. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
People gather to protest US President Donald Trump during Presidents' Day in Lafayette Square, near the White House on Feb. 18, 2019 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
People hold signs during a demonstration against U.S. President Donald Trump on President's day near the White House in Washington, Feb. 18, 2019. (Photo: Joshua Roberts/Reuters)
Carolyn Hursh, right, and Joey Daniel, carry a sign during a protest with others in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Cathy Clark holds a sign and yells during a protest in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. People gathered on the Presidents Day holiday to protest President Donald Trump's recent national emergency declaration. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
A woman holds a sign during a demonstration against U.S. President Donald Trump on President's Day near the White House in Washington, Feb. 18, 2019. (Photo: Joshua Roberts/Reuters)
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