President Donald Trump's executive order to begin building a wall along the country's border with Mexico drew massive crowds to protests across the city. NY1's Lisa Voyticki filed the following report.

Under the Washington Square Park arch, and in the peaceful glow of the Empire State Building, the Council on American Islamic Relations organized a rally at the last minute. Thousands showed up.

"When they come for you, they come for me," said City Comptroller Scott Stringer.

Protesters vowed to protect anyone in the community who could be affected by President Donald Trump's executive orders on immigration. They eventually left the park and marched through the streets of Greenwich Village.

"We came because we support our Muslim brothers and sisters, that we believe we have much more in common as people of faith than we do apart," said one person a the protest.

"The feelings, the energy in the air, it turns on your inner activist and makes you want to make a change, makes you want to resist," said another.

Hundreds also marched around Avenue C plaza in Kensington, declaring the neighborhood a hate-free zone.

"We want to engage all of the businesses, the faith-based insititutons to leverage their power to protect the community. We also want to provide trainings for people on immigration, on interactions with law enforcement, on workers' rights," said one protester.

"If this man tries to impose a Muslim registry, my intention is, as a British Jew, is to sign up as a Muslim," said another.

"I'm very ashamed for our country. That's how I feel right now," said a third.

That energy was duplicated later in the night in Jackson Heights, Queens, where hundreds took to the streets of the heavily south Asian and Latino community to denounce the president's plans.

"So we're here today because President Trump has certain executive orders that are a direct attack on communities of color, particularly black and brown, Muslim communities," said one protester.

There was a heavy police presence at all of these protests, but for the most part, it was a peaceful demonstration in all of the boroughs.