ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Dozens of people gathered outside the Waterford Lakes Town Center in response to the Trump Administration’s crackdown on policies.
▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS
For three hours, people from across Orlando, both young and old, chanted and held flags and posters describing their emotions as cars honked in solidarity.
“Right now, young people, old people. We need to raise our voices against an unconstitutional government right now that’s taking action that they have no right to be taking, said Erick Shaenkel, a Protester.
Shaenkel recited a German poem by a German Pastor after the tragedies in the 1940s in Germany.
“They came for the Jews. And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.
Read: Police in Cocoa Beach are investigating a ‘suspicious incident’ near Cape Canaveral Hospital
They came for the Trade Unionists. And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Trade Unionist. They came for the Catholics. And I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me. And there was no one left to speak up.”
“Everyone needs to speak up,” said Shaenkel.
Saturday’s protest was among the many that have been popping up in different cities across the U.S. to denounce the president’s immigration policies, the rollback of transgender rights, and the disassembling of DEI initiatives.
Zanibel Melo Orlando, founder of Voceras Inc. and protester is a Hispanic woman, who said she was not only fighting for the rights of immigrants and against mass deportation but for her son’s future generation, who are half black.
Read: Orange Avenue reopens on weekends in downtown Orlando
“I want to make sure that when I die, I really make my voice heard. I really can. When my kids are grown, I want to see a better future. This is not about me. This is about the next generation, and I want to do the best I can so they can have a bright future, not only my children but the children of all of us,” said Orlando.”
During the protest, no one in opposition of the group showed up to voice their opinions about the policy changes.
The peaceful protest lasted about three hours and organizer Brianna Larson said the purpose was not to be violent or ruffle feathers but to give people that have been discriminated against a platform to be heard.
Read: Weekend Guide: 9 things to do in Central Florida
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2025 Cox Media Group
