Pro-immigration activist group will rally Saturday at Donald Trump event in Sarasota
SARASOTA -- Activist groups will rally at 11:30 a.m. Saturday outside Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's campaign rally in Sarasota to defend the rights of immigrants, refugees and others marginalized groups they say Trump is targeting.
Trump is scheduled to hold a campaign rally at the Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd.
"Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is bringing his reactionary message of hate and discrimination to Sarasota. Trump has called Mexican immigrants 'rapists' and 'drug dealers,' and suggested that Muslim citizens should be forced to register in a national database, proposed racist barriers to the asylum process for Syrian refugees, and falsely claimed that blacks kill 81 percent of white homicide victims," said the news release issued by ANSWER Coalition Suncoast.
The "Dump Trump! Sarasota Unites For Immigrants And Refugees" rally, organized by ANSWER Coalition Suncoast and UNO: United Nations, is intended to be peaceful with participants chanting and holding signs and banners.
"UNO: United Nations Organization will be supporting the protest this Saturday because we believe in empowering people from all cultures, giving a voice to those in need, and protecting human rights. We will stand side by side next to our brothers and sisters to show our full support," said Junion Salazar, UNO executive director, in the release.
The organizations say Trump's statements about Latin American immigrants and Middle Eastern refugees make life harder and less safe for millions of people.
"Donald Trump needs to be taken seriously when he threatens vulnerable communities and our loved ones," said Answer coordinator Bryan Ellis in the release. "Trump is using lies to take advantage of people's fear and spreading shocking racism for media attention. He's leading many people into a very unjust and dangerous mindset."
Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter@JDeLeon1012.
This story was originally published November 24, 2015 at 5:13 PM with the headline "Pro-immigration activist group will rally Saturday at Donald Trump event in Sarasota ."