ACLU Holds Protest Against President Trump's National Emergency Declaration

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Stephanie Guilloud of Project South speaks at a rally against President Trump's declaration of a national emergency for border wall funding. / Georgia Public Broadcasting

The American Civil Liberties Union called for nationwide protests Monday against President Donald Trump's national emergency declaration.

A diverse crowd of about 100 people gathered outside of Atlanta's Immigration Court to decry the declaration. Trump made it last week to secure funding to build a border wall.

Amith Gupta, who attended the protest, said this declaration affects more than just the people living along the Mexican border.

"This is a national and international decision,” Gupta said. “What one individual wants can't be used to take away the rights of others."

Gupta and other rally goers called it a "fake emergency."

Jerrod Compton also attended along with his 6-year-old daughter. He said it's important for her to see what a fight for social justice looks like. 

"Just her growing up right now in the time, seeing the first black president and also pushing for equal rights of everyone,” Compton said when asked why he brought her. “I think she needs to be exposed to that as a young lady and a young person in this country."

The national ACLU chapter also announced it would be suing Trump over the declaration challenging his use of executive action to fund construction of the wall.