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March for Women protests President-elect in Bedminster

The small protest was organized by Action Together NJ, which represents some individuals who, in the wake of the presidential election, decided to channel their disappointment over the election outcome into action

Suzanne Russell
@SRussellMyCJ
  • On Sunday, President-Elect Donald Trump met with a variety of individuals as he continues to work on his transition to the presidency
  • Among those who met with Trump was Gov. Chris Christie, who said the meeting was "great"
  • The small group of protesters outside the Bedminster golf club said they want to make sure Trump understands he does not have a mandate to make big changes
  • But some others around town said they support Trump and are ready for change

BEDMINSTER - Julia Otis of Bernardsville was so proud on Nov. 8 to take her 8-year-old daughter into the voting booth with her, for what she was sure was going to be the election of the first woman president.

"And then I had to wake her up on Nov. 9 and tell her the man she understands is a bully, who says terrible things about women, has been elected and that is when we both burst into tears," said Otis."I'm so proud the first eight years of her life were under (the policies of President) Barack Obama and I had hoped that would continue."

READ: Donald Trump: We like Chris Christie a lot (but)

With the wind fiercely blowing and snow flurries drifting in the air, Otis was among a small, but vocal group of people, mostly women, who protested Sunday outside Trump National Golf Club on Lamington Road as President-elect Donald Trump and his transition team met throughout the day with potential cabinet members.

READ:

Protest buttons worn by Amalia Duarte.

After attending a morning service at nearby Lamington Presbyterian Church Trump met with a variety of public and private leaders, including Ari Emanuel, Peter Kirsanow, Jonathan Gray, Kris Kobach, Wilbur Ross, Rudy Giuliani, Robert Johnson, David McCormick, T.W. Shannon, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Gen. John Kelly and Gov. Chris Christie.

At one point during the day, he said it was "ok byme" if a boycott against the Broadway show "Hamilton" was instituted because of a short speech Friday night by a member of the diverse cast directed toward Vice President Elect Mike Pence, who was attending the performance. According to pool reports, Trump also declined to answer questions about a proposed settlement for lawsuits involving the defunct Trump University.

Entrance sign to Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.

Christie met with Trump in mid afternoon. After the meeting at 4:30 p.m., the two shook hands, and in response to a question from pool reporters about how the meeting went, Trump said: "Very well. Very good."

When asked about how the meeting was, Christie said: "Great."

Sunday's meetings were anything but great to the small band of protesters outside the golf club. The group was part of Action Together NJ in association with Pantsuit Nation New Jersey, which represents some individuals who, in the wake of the presidential election, decided to channel their disappointment over the election outcome into action, according to Amie Babischkin, group administrator. The group organized Sunday's March for Women to demonstrate support against the divisiveness represented by the upcoming administration and President-elect Trump, she said. The small rally was aimed at offering unity and solidarity for all regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation or identity.

READ: Just another Saturday in Bedminster, except for Trump

READ: Trump set to make big change to NJ economy

READ: 5 reasons environmentalists fear President Trump

The protesters drew honks of supports from some motorists passing by on the rural  two-lane roadway with homes set far off the road. One man driving a black Volkswagen was heard yelling out "Trump rules" as he drove past.

Protesters in front of Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.

"I think it's important that we oppose Trump at every step, otherwise we normalize his position. One of his first selections was a white nationalist. Then he's got (U.S. Sen.) Jeff Sessions who previously said that grabbing a woman by the pussy was not a sexual assault. So he's going to be the attorney general," said Otis.

Colleen Channer of Scotch Plains said Sessions also called a black congressman "boy."

"Too racist to serve on the federal bench in 1986, but 2016 it's all good," said Otis, adding she wants Trump to see he does not have a mandate. "He didn't win New Jersey. He didn't win Somerset County. Unfortunately he did win suburban college white women, but not me. And I think it's important that we continue to make our voices heard."

READ: Somerset County election results

Amalia Duarte of Mendham said a lot of Facebook groups have popped up in the wake of the election results. She learned about Sunday's protest through one of the groups.

"I've been watching what's been happening in New York and other cities and this feels like something where I need to have my voice heard. What disturbs me about Mr. Trump is his rhetoric," she said. "He talks about coming together and still is very divisive."

Duarte said Trump started his campaign talking about immigrants as criminals and rapists, then make fun of (U.S. Sen.) John McCain, then made fun of a reporter with a disability, then said no more Muslims should come into the country.

While people can have a difference of opinion and policy, she feels that Trump has crossed a line, and she wanted to connect with other people who feel the same way she does.

Pamela Brug of Westfield, who helped organize the event, said the protest was to show Trump women have something to say and they don't agree with what he stands for.

"Our voices need to be heard. We are not going away," she said, adding as an African American she wants to see more movement on issues related to racial injustice.

Colleen Channer of Scotch Plains, Pamela Brug of Westfield and Amalia Duarte of Mendham prepare to protest in front of Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.

For Brug, Trump's decision to relocate the transition team to Bedminster indicated he was running away from the protests in New York City.  She sees the golf course site being used more and more before he takes office.

Chris Piccone of Bedminster, and his daughter, Lena, 8, also participated in the protest.

"Trump has done nothing to calm the temperament of the nation," said Piccone, adding he wants his daughter to get involved at a young age and to see that her father is active in what concerns her.

While the protesters spoke out against Trump, the president-elect does have supporters in the area.

Mike Monroe of Basking Ridge, shopping at the nearby Kings supermarket, said he voted for Trump because he thought the country was ready for a big change. Monroe said he wasn't concerned about any issues with Trump being in town.

Louis Valenti of Bound Brook said he thinks Trump will do more good than create problems. Although Valenti declined to say if he voted for Trump, his friend, Mark Peppe of Phillipsburg, did.

Valenti said he understands why people wouldn't vote for Trump but doesn't understand how people could vote for Hillary Clinton.

"And that's why this year there was a lot of people who didn't go to vote," said Valenti, adding a lot of people didn't want to say if they were voting for Trump.

Laura Chatlos of Basking Ridge, works in Morristown and takes Interstate 287 home, a 16-mile commute that took nearly three hours on Friday because of Trump's motorcade.

"I knew it was that, I knew it," she said. "I was so annoyed. It was a disaster on Friday."

Chatlos said she's concerned Trump will continue to create traffic issues in the area. She's considering taking backroads, but added it gets backed up everywhere when everyone else is looking for an alternate route.

Staff Writer Suzanne Russell: 732-565-7335; srussell@mycentraljersey.com