Small march, big reaction

35,000 view Trump rally online, many voice rabid opinions

By Ethan Hartley
Posted 6/27/17

Although only about 50 people showed up to the Sports Legend Pub in Warwick Saturday afternoon to march in support of President Trump, more than 35,000 people watched their march online, with …

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Small march, big reaction

35,000 view Trump rally online, many voice rabid opinions

Posted

Although only about 50 people showed up to the Sports Legend Pub in Warwick Saturday afternoon to march in support of President Trump, more than 35,000 people watched their march online, with hundreds engaging in heated political discussion on Facebook, in the aftermath.

Organized by Warwick resident Colleen Pinelli, who described herself as a “lifelong Democrat” before being inspired and won over by Donald Trump, the march started at the pub and stretched about a mile west on West Shore Road before crossing the street and coming back to the pub. Warwick police officers were on hand to provide crowd control and safety for the marchers.

After the Beacon posted a short video to its Facebook page showing the march, reactions from people online started to erupt.

“A collection of racists gathered today to perform their ‘never trust our judgment about anything’ ritual, in which they decorate themselves to attract the affections of other malformed species,” wrote one commenter, which garnered over 100 likes as of press time.

Others defended the rights of the protestors.

“God these comments are judgmental,” reads another comment. “If there was a Democratic Party support rally you’d all think it was awesome. They aren’t racists, they aren’t bigots. They just have different opinions than you. Get over yourselves.” This comment received more likes than any other with 113 as of press time.

At a time when current events continue to divide friends, neighbors and even family members along ideological and political lines, the gathering and march served as an opportunity for those who support Trump to get together and share their common beliefs.

Those beliefs, however, were not actually the main topics of conversation in the moments leading up to the march. People mostly conversed about family, events in their lives and how they were happy the morning’s rain had cleared away as the march drew nearer.

Steve “Hoppy” Hopkins, a Vietnam War veteran with the United States Army, spoke only briefly about Trump in between jokes and stories from his past as a military policeman in Germany, but said one of his primary reasons for supporting him was because he actually believed Trump was trying to assist military veterans once they retire – something he has not felt with previous administrations.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, which Trump signed into law on Friday, will aim to do just what the title indicates – make it easier to fire VA employees and hold them accountable, as well as protect whistleblowers that expose misconduct or inefficient practices within the department.

Hopkins believes this is the first act he has seen that will actually make an impact for veterans who rely on the VA. Hopkins has many health complications and said he has experienced a revolving door of VA doctors who give him consultations and referrals but rarely seem to actually treat any of his issues within a timely manner.

“If you get a good one, you’re lucky,” he said. “If you don’t, you don’t.”

Hopkins also said that he found it hard to understand why people are against measures to prevent illegal immigration.

“It’s common sense stuff,” Hopkins said. “If you’re here illegally, you don’t have the same rights.”

Other Trump supporters preached messages of togetherness.

“We need to straighten out this mess that we’re in,” said Dawn Featherstone. “We need peace, love and not war.”

Pinelli said she invited lots of her liberal friends as a symbol of unity but that none showed up.

“I believe they’re brainwashed, but that’s just my opinion,” she said.

Despite the vitriol spewed by the entirety of the political spectrum online and the precautionary police presence, the march went on as scheduled and was uneventfully peaceful.

Trump supporters chanted the usual phrases of “Build the Wall” and “USA,” while they donned American flags and signs that read “Drain the RI Swamp” and “Proud He’s My President.” Fellow supporters often honked their horns as they passed along. No opposition march or protests occurred.

As the march began, attendee Angela Dzialo spoke about how she chose to march not because of her love of Donald Trump but because of her love for America.

“I love my country,” said Dzialo while holding an American flag. “Do I love everything about Trump? Absolutely not. But I love my country."

Comments

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  • almonday

    Can anyone tell me what that green flag (on the right side of the first photo) represents?

    Wednesday, June 28, 2017 Report this

  • almonday

    Just found it; its the flag of Kekistan, a fictional country created on the internet.

    Wednesday, June 28, 2017 Report this