More than a thousand people rallied in support of American Muslims in Times Square on Sunday afternoon, with pumping fists and chants of "We are One" resonating through the so-called Crossroads of the World.
The "I Am a Muslim Too" march was co-organized by the Foundation For Ethnic Understanding and the Nusantara Foundation in response to the uncertainty and anxiety created by President Donald Trump's now-rescinded executive order.
American flags waved through the air alongside picket signs that read "I am a Muslim too", "No Muslim Ban" and "Yes we Qu'Ran!" as demonstrators pumped their fists in the air.
Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons headlined the rally.
"We are focused on things that are not helpful to America, we're using the Muslim community as a scapegoat. We are being mean to the people who are the victims of terrorism," he said. "All of the diversity we see here today will prevail."
The entrepreneur, who was a former friend of Trump, said the president doesn't realize that he will leave a "legacy of hate" in America" once his term is done. Simmons took Trump to visit a Mosque in 2011, and he believes a meeting with members of the Congressional Black Caucus could impact his thinking.
"I think now that he's in office, people need to talk to him," he said. "He doesn't realize how much his works will be looked at as horrible in the future. He will leave a legacy of hate and America is moving towards greater love."
"This is an outreach effort to the American public," said Rabbi Marc Schnier, the president of the Foundation For Ethnic Understanding. "Today in the United States it's open season on Muslims. We recognize that with the American Muslim community that we share a common faith and a common fate."
Schnier says that he wants the Trump Administration and Americans nationwide to understand that American Muslims champion the country's values and that "they are our most natural ally."
Chelsea Clinton participated in the rally and tweeted a photo from the crowd.
"Thank you to all who organized #IAmAMuslimToo today - Charlotte's 1st protest rally. #NoBanNoWallNoRaids," she said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio took the stage to cheers and rounds of applause. He thanked the 900 Muslim members of the NYPD for protecting New Yorkers and risking their lives to do so daily.
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"Think about the origins of this country, a country founded to respect all faiths and all beliefs," he said to the crowd. "This is who we are as Americans and this must be protected! An attack on anybody's faith is an attack on all people of faith."
Thousands across the country have vowed to spend their President's Day protesting against Trump and his policies at the "Not My President" rallies scheduled to take place in at least 25 cities nationwide.
More than 13,000 people said on Facebook that they planned to attend a peaceful demonstration in front of Trump Hotel Monday afternoon.
