While Donald Trump is looking forward
to a meeting at the White House, it seems not many are taking his victory at
becoming the next soon-to-be sworn-in US President after incumbent President
Barrack Obama leaves office in a couple of weeks as reports from the BBC
revealed that thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of several
US cities to protest, shouting slogans such as “Not my president" against
the election of ‘the man of the moment’ Donald Trump with a few others burning
orange-haired effigies of the business tycoon who will become the 45th US
president after securing a surprise victory over Hillary Clinton which left
many still looking stunned.
Trump is due to meet Obama for talks which would be aimed at
ensuring a smooth transition even as he urged all Americans to accept the
result of Tuesday's election notwithstanding the fact that he had campaigned against
Trump branding him "unfit" for office adding "we are now all
rooting for his success in uniting and leading the country" even as defeated
Hillary Clinton also concurred and told supporters to give Trump a "chance
to lead".
However, despite their calls to give Trump a "chance to
lead", protesters still gathered in several cities across the country.
In New York, thousands marched on Trump Tower, voicing their
opposition to Mr Trump's policies on immigration, gay rights and reproductive
rights. Fifteen people were arrested; the New York Times reported.
Police earlier erected concrete barriers and other security
measures outside the 5th Avenue skyscraper, which is likely to be Trump's
headquarters during the transition to power.
In Los Angeles, a mass anti-Trump rally shut down a key
freeway near the city, according to local media.
In Chicago, crowds blocked the entrance to Trump Tower,
chanting: "No Trump, No KKK, No Fascists USA" and "Not my
president!"
American flags were burned at some protests and in Portland,
Oregon, demonstrators temporarily closed an interstate highway. Demonstrations
also took place in Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle and San Francisco, among other
cities.
Meanwhile,
Donal Trump in his victory speech in the early hours of Wednesday, vowed to
"bind the wounds of division", after an acrimonious election contest,
and to be "president for all Americans".
White
House spokesman Josh Earnest has insisted Mr Obama will be sincere about
ensuring a smooth handover when he meets Trump, although he added: "I'm
not saying it's going to be an easy meeting."
The
president-elect is expected in the White House on Thursday morning accompanied
by his wife, Melania, who will have a meeting with First Lady Michelle Obama in
the White House residence.
Mr
Obama, who congratulated his successor in a phone call in the early hours of
Wednesday, said it was "no secret" that he and Mr Trump had pretty
significant differences.
But
he added that "we all want what's best for this country" and he was
"heartened" by what he heard in Mr Trump's remarks the night before.
Mr
Trump's transition team for the 10-week period until inauguration will be led
by Chris Christie, the governor of New Jersey.
The
president-elect, who has never held elected office, has said his immediate
priorities will be restoring the country's infrastructure and doubling its
economic growth.
Republican
National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said: "Donald Trump is taking
this very seriously," adding that the business mogul's deal-making ability
would enable him to quickly "make things happen for the American
people".
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