At a post-election gathering last Thursday evening at Princeton Public Library, an overflow crowd of anxious residents voiced their fears about the future and heard pledges of support from local officials and the heads of non-profit and religious groups. Organized by the town’s Human Services Department, Mayor Liz Lempert and library director Brett Bonfield, the “Post-Election Conversation with Community Leaders” brought an overflow crowd to the library’s Community Room.

The mood was somber. Some people wrote messages of support (“Keep Calm and Be Happy,” “I’m With You,” “Take the Time to Think About Others,” etc.) on sticky-notes and stuck them to a wall. Others attached safety pins, handed out by library staff, to their lapels. The pins have become a show of support, nationwide, to signify a willingness to stand up for the vulnerable.

“This is not a political conversation or a rally,” Human Services director Elisa Neira said in her opening remarks. “It’s about how we can move forward Й. This is a place to process, share, connect, and support.”

Particularly distressed by the victory of Donald Trump, who has pledged to deport millions of immigrants, are the undocumented who live in Princeton, which is considered a sanctuary city.

“Our neighbors are scared,” said Leticia Fraga, vice chair of Human Services and chair of the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund. “There are families whose children were crying and afraid to go to school. A third grader and fifth grader were told by classmates to start packing their bags. And just today, there were fewer people out on Witherspoon Street,” she added, referring to an area of town where many undocumented people reside. “They’re afraid.”

Ms. Fraga was among those to offer support to residents. “We can assure the community we are here for them,” she said. “We will do all in our power to protect them.”

Bill Schofield, interim executive director of HiTops, said that many LGBTQ teenagers who frequent the center are fearful. “They’re afraid that a lot of the gains accomplished over the last decade are gone overnight,” he said. “We have to think about how we’ll respond to this.” HiTops has expanded its hours and services in response to the election.

Shane Berg, an assistant professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, said there was “palpable suffering” at the school the day after the election. “There were lots of expressions of vulnerability,” he said. “So much of what is done that is ugly in this is in the name of Christianity, so we feel more committed than ever.” Mr. Berg said the seminary has the space and the students to make it a “common resource” for those in need. He hopes to work with thousands of alumni, many in “red” states, on how to make a difference.

Members of Nassau Presbyterian Church are worried about refugees they have been helping in recent months, said the Rev. David A. Davis, who is also the president of the Princeton Clergy Association. “I’m hearing a depth of angst and despair,” he said. “Our building is a safe place for anyone to come into. We’re working on racial reconciliation and will continue that as a congregation.” The Princeton Clergy Association has been considering designating houses of worship in Princeton as sanctuaries, he added.

Princeton Public Schools Superintendent Steven Cochrane said many students stayed home from school the day after the election, while others spent time talking to counselors. “Hispanic students are especially afraid. We have to be vigilant,” he said.

Others who spoke included Ed Truscelli of Princeton Community Housing, Susan Hoskins of Princeton Senior Resource Center, James Steward of the Princeton University Art Museum, and Jeff Nathanson of the Arts Council of Princeton. When it was time for members of the crowd to offer comments, several took turns expressing their concerns. Omayma Mansour, a board member of the Islamic Society of Central Jersey, said she is afraid but optimistic.

“The hatred is there. It is rampant,” she said. “But we are grateful and know this is the greatest country to live in, but we do need your support. Girls wearing hijabs are scared to leave their homes … but this is my America, just as anyone else’s. I was born in Reading, Pennsylvania and moved to Princeton, and I am staying right here. We have time for healing but we have to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”

There was a Trump supporter in the crowd, and he spoke with emotion. “Everything is going to be okay,” said Lee Eric Newton, who has been seen around town with pro-Trump signs in recent weeks. “Nobody is going to come in on buses and round people up and take them away.” A voice from the crowd asked, “But how do you know?”