The event featured speakers including New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio; American entrepreneur and author Russell Simmons, a former friend of Trump; actress Susan Sarandon; and several prominent activists. “We are here today to show middle America our beautiful signs and, through our beautiful actions and intention, that they have been misled,” Simmons told the crowd. Bill de Blasio said America was founded by people who were fleeing religious persecution and was founded to respect all faiths and all beliefs.