Hundreds gather outside Nassau Coliseum to support former President Donald Trump

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Hundreds gather outside Nassau Coliseum to support former President Donald Trump
Trump supporters gathered at Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday morning. (Photos by Julie Priscoe)

Hundreds gathered outside Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday morning in anticipation of former President Donald Trump’s rally at 7 p.m.

Flags, banners, and homemade posters were displayed on vehicles in the parking lot, and people waiting in line held them up.

People in Trump hats, MAGA shirts, and full red, white, and blue outfits spontaneously chanted, “Trump, Trump, Trump!”

“There’s only one reason to be here,” a woman who has been waiting in line since 8 a.m. said.  “And that’s to see Trump.”

Men and women waiting in line said they arrived at the Coliseum between 7:30 and 9 a.m. to get in line.

One woman said her friends had been camping out in their car on the road since 11 p.m. last night to be the first ones to be let in the line this morning.

Some shared that they traveled across the county to see Trump.

“This is my first rally,” said Westchester resident Thomas Walsh. “I’m excited to see how close I get inside.”

Bob Kunst, a resident of Miami Beach, said he drove up to attend the rally. On his drive to protest, he stopped at Trump rallies on the East Coast and Kamala Harris events.

“I’m hitting Kamala with psychological warfare,” Kunst said. “It’s interesting so see [Trump] has so much support here because some media only reports one side.”

Throughout the morning on Wednesday, the parking lot continued to fill up with Trump supporters.

Coliseum security and the Nassau County Police Department patrolled the area and parking lots to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance.

 The Coliseum parking lot opened at 8 a.m.
The rally will be one of Trump’s first since the second assassination attempt in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sunday, raising security concerns that Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder addressed.

 

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman also expressed confidence in the safety precautions taken for the rally.

“This is a small army of law enforcement professionals who are going to be making sure this is a very safe and secure site and event,” Blakeman said.

President Joe Biden has called for the highest levels of protection for both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.Nassau County officials issued a traffic advisory Tuesday evening, warning that heavy traffic will be expected around 3 p.m. Wednesday near the Nassau Coliseum.The Coliseum’s parking lot was cleared and swept Tuesday night.Hofstra University classes after 1 p.m. will be taught remotely. At Nassau Community College, all classes after 2 p.m. are canceled. Classes will be remote all day at Kellenberg High School and the Latin School.

Counter protests were scheduled for noon on Hempstead Turnpike by Nassau County Democrats, calling on Long Island residents to “reject Trump’s extremism.”

 

 

 

 

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3 COMMENTS

  3. How about investigating the lack of transparency on how Nassau County tax payers picked up the bill for the rally, the County Executive’s role in sponsoring the rally and how much Trump paid toward the costs.

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