Trump, anti-Trump marchers in noisy State House faceoff

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.”