Nearly 200 protesters, mostly Chicago women, “built a wall” around the Trump International Hotel and Tower, chanting “This p—y votes,” “Love trumps hate,” and “GOP hands off me.”

The Oct. 18 protest was organized in response to republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s remarks in a leaked “Access Hollywood” video from 2005 including his remark that he could grab women “by the p—y.”

Professor at Harold Washington College’s  Humanities Department, performer and feminism activist Alicia Swiz said she organized the protest to make the issue more visible throughout the Chicago area but wasn’t expecting so much participation. She added that she was excited to see local women coming together.

“We are out here as women and vocal supporters of women saying, ‘Hey, we vote, and we will not have a sexist, misogynistic candidate for our president,’” Swiz said. “He shouldn’t even be on the ballot, but Trump is just representative of a bigger problem of toxic masculinity and rape culture.” 

Attorney and participant Quinn Michaelis said she joined the protest because she thinks “democracy is being threatened by Trump.”

“It’s amazing that we’re angry, but we’re organized, and we’re making our voices heard,” Michaelis said. “I could not be more proud of the women of Chicago and the allies of the women of Chicago right now.”

Across the street from the protesters, a small group of  Trump supporters countered with signs reading things like “Lesbian Hillary Clinton grabs plenty of p—y” and shouting “Donald Trump loves women!” 

The counter protesters gathered across the street near the entrance of the Trump Hotel. Joshua Glaspie, one of the Trump group supporters, said he was trying to keep the peace and promote what Trump supporters stand for as well as the Constitution.  

“We stand for the Constitution, our founding principles, power to the people and the States,” Glaspie said. “Less power to the corrupt government establishment that has driven our country into the ground. This is our last chance to save our country for the people, for the states and the Constitution.”

Counter protester Suzzanne Monk said she also attended to show support for Trump. 

“Hillary Clinton will take this  country in a very dangerous direction,” Monk said. “We are here to stand up against the lies and the smear that have been reported against our candidate.”

Chicago was not the only city with protests,  as Washington D.C. and New York City also had similar actions in front of Trump-owned hotels.

“We answered the call of women across the country who are fed up with the type of language that is being used against everybody in this country,” Michaelis said.

See additional photos from the protest at https://www.columbiachronicle.com/gallery/collection_9b93932c-9aca-11e6-a92a-c3659126ad17.html/?page=1.