MIAMI _ An organizer of a Saturday night protest at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate canceled his event, but other organizers say a similar protest still will occur.
The protest will coincide with Trump's weekend visit to his Palm Beach mansion _ the first since he was inaugurated as president. The International Red Cross Ball is being held at his estate Saturday night.
The "president and Mrs. Trump will be attending the ball," Red Cross spokeswoman Elizabeth Penniman said. It is not confirmed whether Trump will speak.
Stephen Milo, an organizer of the "March to Mar-A-Lago for Humanity," posted a notice on Facebook on Thursday saying the event had been canceled because of the potential crowd size and impact on residents.
"There was no way to self manage thousand (sic)of protestors and keep them on sidewalks," the Facebook page said. Milo referred activists to an alternative march being organized by South Florida Activism.
Alex Newell Taylor, a West Palm Beach resident, said South Florida Activism and Women's March Florida were still planning to hold a protest.
The protest is now called "March to Mar-a-Lago We Will Not Be Stopped." On Facebook, at least 1,300 people said they were planning to attend as of late Friday afternoon _ fewer than the 1,700 listed on the earlier Facebook page.
The protesters plan to gather at Trump Tower in West Palm Beach and march down Flagler Drive across the Intracoastal from Mar-a-Lago.
"Yes, we know there are areas where the sidewalks are slim, and the police understand that we may spill out into the road in some areas," states the Facebook post. "No, we don't have porta-potties, but neither did Dr. King! No, we do not have a permit, nor are we seeking one as we do not need one."
The protest has created an awkward situation for the Red Cross, which has offered to help refugees affected by Trump's ban.
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