HILLSVILLE (WSLS 10) - Demonstrators took to the streets of Hillsville Sunday to protest President Donald Trump's stance on immigration.
Protesters with the "March for Humanity" said they want immigrants to feel welcome, even in a community like theirs that voted heavily for Donald Trump this past November.
Organizer Samantha Castor said the idea for the march was born in her living room as she watched the commotion the executive order was causing at airports around the country.
She said she wanted to find a way to speak out, and it turned out dozens of others wanted to join her.
"I was trying to decide what can we do? And Agustina kind of looked at me and said why don't we just do it ourselves?" said Castor.
"We reached out and I guess we touched the hearts of people who don't think it's okay what's been happening and want to be part of it and want to show that we're going to stand united and stick up for other Americans," said Castor's friend Agustina Silva.
Within days, the two had dozens of people supporting them, but they learned it might be difficult to pull off.
"We would need to go in front of the Town Council, and there was the possibility that they wouldn't agree with the message," said Castor.
Castor said a town official helped them find a work around.
"Went through multiple channels to make sure that we were cleared to use the sidewalks in town and that if we needed support with traffic or crossing streets or anything like that, we would have it without having to go through the actual legalities of having to get permits and things like that," said Castor.
The march led down North Main Street, but was quickly met with resistance.
WSLS 10 spoke with one of the men protesting the march.
"So many of these people don't understand the word of illegal. I don't think that he is trying, I don't think there's ever been a citizen thrown out of this country. I think it's the illegal people that's not right, and not paying taxes, and get away with stuff, and go back to their country, send money back to their country."
Castor had a response to that statement.
"People were being detained who were legal residents of this country, or were coming here legally to live in our country. Refugees, students, professors," said Castor.
According to various news outlets, including the New York Times and USA Today, many people were in fact detained who were legal U.S. residents shortly after the order was passed, as well as refugees who had been previously vetted.
"There's not a single person today that's family's heritage is not from some other part of the world, and that's what makes America great," said Betty Sutton, a member of the march.
The march organizers said, to those immigrants still hoping to make it to America, many Hillsville residents will welcome them.
"Even though this is a heavily conservative area, that there are still people who will love you and welcome you and are proud to have you here," said Silva.
This was the first march Castor and Silva have organized, but they are hoping it will create momentum for more events in the future.