March for Trump

Colleen Pinelli never took an interest in politics until Barack Obama was elected president. Then she started following current affairs and, during the Republican presidential primaries, she liked what Donald Trump had to say.

“He puts America first. He’s a businessman. He’s president for all Americans,” she said Tuesday at the Sports Legend Pub on West Shore Road not far from the intersection of Oakland Beach Avenue.

Now Pinelli, who wears Trump sneakers and has Trump charms on her bracelet, is doing more than displaying her support for the president. She is the organizer of Saturday’s march for Trump rally that will go west from the pub to Wilde’s Corner and back. The march is slated to start shortly after noon.

And why would a retired registered nurse who on a part-time basis organizes live music events want to run a march for Trump in a heavily Democratic state that went for Hillary Clinton?

“The negativity has drawn me to this,” Pinelli said.

She said she is fed up by the mainstream media that “are all Democrats…at least be fair. They want this president to fail, and if that happens it means America fails.” She rates Trump as having done a good job so far, noting a 600,000 percent growth in jobs and the performance of the stock market.

“I believe he needs our support,” she said.

A march in a politically charged environment where opinions are so sharply divided has raised the specter of potential violence. Pinelli has thought of that and arranged for two detail police officers for the event. Following the march, a barbecue will be held at the pub and there will be a live music jam.

Police Chief Co. Stephen McCartney said additional personnel would be available if required. McCartney also said that Pinelli and the Sports Legend Pub have obtained the proper permits.

Republican Mayor Scott Avedisian said he wouldn’t be marching as he will be in mediation talks between the Warwick School Committee and the Warwick Teachers Union.

Former state Rep. Joseph Trillo, who headed up the Rhode Island for Trump committee during the election, hadn’t heard of the march. He was out of state and does not plan on returning in time for the march.

Pinelli said it is hard for her to judge what sort of a turnout she’ll get for the march. She finds that many people are “silent” Trump supporters and are fearful of blasting their opinions on Facebook that she has largely used to get out the word. She has heard from Bikers for Trump groups in Connecticut and Massachusetts and they are planning to attend. She thought they could follow the line of march that would be on the sidewalk.

Pinelli is making Trump March t-shirts with an American flag for participants. She is uncertain whether there will be a speaking portion to the event. Radio host John DePetro is on her list of invitees.

“Maybe I’ll do it,” she said of speaking at the march.

Although a Democrat for most of her life, Pinelli finds she is in line with many Republicans.

“They believe in work and having a job, not in free things,” she said.

Pinelli said she recognizes the need for assistance programs but resents those who take advantage of the system and don’t strive to do their best. “That’s not American, that’s not our values,” she said.

Pinelli said Trump is “not against immigrants but illegal immigrants” and so is she.

“I’m all for the wall,” she said, “It has to be America first. We all need to get back to who we are.”