Hundreds gather in Columbia in response to president’s executive order banning refugees

Hundreds of people gathered at Peace Park Sunday afternoon in protest of President Donald Trump’s executive order banning refugees.

According to the organizers’ Facebook page, the group was asking residents to gather at Peace Park to show, “We as American citizens do not support the unconstitutional and xenophobic executive order from our President.”

Around 1 p.m., protesters marched to the Islamic Center of Central Missouri and placed yellow flowers on their doorstep showing friendship.

Women, men and children of all ages marched to show their solidarity with one another.

For Patrick Finney, coming out Sunday meant canceling all his plans but to him it was worth it.

“We support immigrants, we support refugees, we want our country to be open and welcoming place for people of all backgrounds,” he said.

The president’s executive order sparked protests at airports across the country, including in St. Louis.