Trump, anti-Trump marchers in noisy State House faceoff

By Tessa Roy
Posted 3/28/17

By TESSA ROY Though Saturday was met with a few raindrops, the spirits of several hundred supporters of President Donald Trump were not dampened. They took to the streets of Providence with flags and signs, marching up to the State House steps to declare

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Trump, anti-Trump marchers in noisy State House faceoff

Posted

Though Saturday was met with a few raindrops, the spirits of several hundred supporters of President Donald Trump were not dampened. They took to the streets of Providence with flags and signs, marching up to the State House steps to declare their loyalty to the president. They did face counter-protests as rally organizers expected (police stood between the two crowds at one point), but the supporters seemed to enjoy themselves anyway.

“Despite the fervent call of some speakers telling the 'losers’ to go home [and] the constant throb of a tuba and banging on pots, pans and empty plastic buckets, peace prevailed and entertained,” said supporter Robert Deering who attended.  

Former state representative and North Kingstown Councilwoman Doreen Costa organized the rally, which boasted speakers like former state representative and Rhode Island honorary Trump Campaign Chair Joe Trillo, Republican Party Chairman Brandon Bell, radio host John DePetro, and National Committeewoman Lee Ann Sennick.

“I think from our standpoint it was a good event,” Trillo said on Monday. “[There were] lots of people happy with just about everything.”

He was, however, disappointed in those who showed up to counter-protest.

“If you’re able to stop me from speaking for whatever reason – either because you’re creating a ruckus or talking over me – for me that’s interruption of my right to free speech, and I think that’s exactly what they did,” he said. Though the police presence was good, Trillo added, he thought “police should have basically shut them down and pushed them away from where we were trying to gather.”

A recap of the event on DePetro’s site dubbed the event “the largest rally the state has ever seen” and offered some choice words for the counter-protesters.

“While the rally was in progress, sleazy human trash anti-Trump anarchist[s] crashed the Make America Great Again RI march and rally,” he wrote. “The anarchist[s] booed the singing of the National Anthem, tried to incite violence aimed at veterans, and mocked members of the military. The stench and odor from the anti-Trump demonstrators could be smelled from over 50 yards away.”

Ironically enough, the rally happened the day after the Republican alternative to the Affordable Care Act was pulled from the floor before it could reach a vote. Trillo blamed House Speaker Paul Ryan for its failure, saying the bill was rushed and that Ryan shouldn’t have put it forth without knowing it would have adequate support.

Next time there’s a pro Trump rally, Trillo said, supporters will try to host it in a private place to prevent a presence from “pathetic losers.”

Comments

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  • Katfrye

    This article was not a product of joirnalism. It would be fit for the letter to the Editor section with it's one sided and inflammatory reporting.

    Why no mention of the shouts of White power or Nazi salutes from Trump supporters which were openly accepted by the Trump supporters around them.

    DePetro was mentioned but not the fact that he advocated from the State House steps to build a wall around Central Falls.

    No attempt to speak to a single protester whom the reporter quoted others malignnng.

    No journalistic integrity!

    Tuesday, March 28, 2017 Report this

  • Katfrye

    Excuse the typos I can spell journalism and maligning

    Tuesday, March 28, 2017 Report this

  • RISchadenfreude

    What, exactly, did a photo of the new disgrace to the RISP have to do with this article?

    Vastly unqualified junior administrator who was "jumped" over many of her more- qualified superiors so that The Guv could promote a double-minority.

    Assumpico was a liability on the road which is why she was in Admin, running paperwork between the Academy and HQ.

    RI has no idea what this amateur-hour nonsense is going to do to one of the best and most highly-respected law enforcement agencies in the long run- it's already destroyed morale and caused an exodus of highly-qualified officers- I see a "No Confidence" vote in the near future.

    What a shame.

    Wednesday, March 29, 2017 Report this

  • Kammy

    I thought free speech went both ways? “If you’re able to stop me from speaking for whatever reason – either because you’re creating a ruckus or talking over me – for me that’s interruption of my right to free speech, and I think that’s exactly what they did,” he said. Were you not also trying to drown out the anti-trump demonstrators as well? Is your exercise of free speech higher than someone who opposes you? It's a two way street. I distinctly recall Blue Lives Matter people protesting at Black Lives Matter rally's. Anti-racism protesters at KKK marches. But oh no, DO NOT show up and protest Trump supporters or DePetro will call you trash. Please give me a break.

    Wednesday, March 29, 2017 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    psssst, RISchadenfreude, you misogyny is showing. I thought you might want too now before you got embarassed

    Wednesday, March 29, 2017 Report this

  • RISchadenfreude

    Justanidiot, you're still true to your moniker...

    I'm sure there'll be a qualified female who will run the RISP in the future- she's not it. If you any knowledge of the facts behind my post, you'd understand, but you don't.

    How does one manage to spell "misogny" correctly, yet miss *your*, *to* and *know*? Back to third grade...

    Monday, April 3, 2017 Report this