President Trump speaks to the crowd during a campaign rally at Freedom Hall in Johnson City, Tenn., on Monday, October 1, 2018. He held the rally to support Republican senate candidate Marsha Blackburn. (Sean Rayford | Getty Images)

By Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

President Trump came to Philadelphia Tuesday to speak to thousands of contractors — and a whole bunch of protesters followed.

The event is part of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) annual conference, held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from Friday to Tuesday. The president was expected to promote his new North American trade agreement, while also touting the nation's economic performance.

Word of the president's appearance wasn't well received by many Philadelphians. Around 1,000 people turned out for "dump Trump" in Center City, while others took to social media to complain about his visit.

Following last week's testimony in hearings regarding Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's fitness to sit on the court amid an accusations of sexual assault, liberals and advocates for sexual abuse survivors have rallied against Kavanaugh, the president and Republican senators, calling on the nominee to step down, the president to rescind his nomination and senators to vote no.

Whatever reaction he gets in Philly, the president will likely feel more at home later in the day, when he hosts a "Make America Great Again" rally in Memphis Tuesday evening.

Here's a look at how people responded:

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Donald Trump is going to be in Philly this afternoon. So I'm going to New Jersey. That's how much I dislike Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/yOQZRXZ9S7 — Shannon (@schanby) October 2, 2018

Apparently Trump's in Philly right now? Live footage of me entering the nearest protest: pic.twitter.com/1QpbOFy599 — Alex (@alexdim96) October 2, 2018

This dood trump really think he can make that much traffic in Philly and get away with it? I vote to impeach — Brian Torres (@notbrian18) October 2, 2018

There were lots of mentions of Gritty, the Flyers' new mascot

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Demonstrators gathered in Center City Philadelphia to protest a visit from President Trump, Tuesday, October 2, 2018. (Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com)

There were also chants of "Gritty hates Trump" and "Gritty hates cops." The orange mascot was nowhere to be found at Tuesday's demonstrations.

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Stuffed animals surround a cage holding dolls near Philadelphia City Hall, Tuesday, October 2, 2018. (Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com)

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A protester dressed as a handmaid from "The Handmaid's Tale" greets police with a sign, Tuesday October 2, 2018. (Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com)

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The protests went beyond the president's controversial Supreme Court nominee, taking on racism, police brutality, Trump's affinity for Russian President Vladimir Putin and wealth disparity. Two different groups gathered earlier in the day and merged together as one around 2 p.m.

Police blocked protesters from continuing past Arch and Broad Streets, just steps from the convention center where the president was scheduled to speak. They wound around Philadelphia City Hall, calling on others to get off the sidewalks and into the streets.

The protest, clearly made of an eclectic group with a number of concerns, had some demonstrators calling for radical changes, including anything from impeaching Trump and abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) to getting rid of presidents, borders and police altogether.

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Demonstrators eventually made their way to the convention center's Broad Street entrance, gathering outside to await attendees from the conference. Dozens of people emerged, taking out cell phones to record protesters as they rushed toward fences lined with police officers.

People from both sides yelled at each other from across the barriers.

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A protester holds a sign in support of Dr. Christine Blasey-Ford, the woman who testified she was sexually assaulted by Brett Kavanaugh in the 1980s. (Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com)

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Demonstrators walk around Philadelphia City Hall to protest a visit from President Trump, Tuesday, October 2, 2018 (Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com)

Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

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Demonstrators gathered in Center City Philadelphia to protest President Trump's visit to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Tuesday, October 2, 2018 (Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com)

Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

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Demonstrators gathered outside of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, confronting conference attendees after President Trump made an appearance there, Tuesday, October 2, 2018. (Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com)

Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

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Demonstrators gathered outside of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, confronting conference attendees after President Trump made an appearance there, Tuesday, October 2, 2018. (Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com)

Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

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Demonstrators gathered outside of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, confronting conference attendees after President Trump made an appearance there, Tuesday, October 2, 2018. (Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com)

Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

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Demonstrators gathered outside of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, confronting conference attendees after President Trump made an appearance there, Tuesday, October 2, 2018. (Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com)

Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

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Demonstrators gathered in Center City Philadelphia to protest a visit from President Trump, Tuesday, October 2, 2018. (Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com)

Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

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Amanda Hoover can be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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