By Grand Rapids Anonymous
saturday, july 20, 2024 at 3:27:00 p.m. edt
“grand rapids, mich., (wood) — ahead of former [sic] President Donald Trump’s rally in grand rapids saturday, the line of supporters extended for over a mile.
“some supporters told news 8 they started setting up shop outside Van Andel arena as early as thursday afternoon.
“watch: Trump rally underway in grand rapids
“saturday afternoon, the line in downtown grand rapids stretched for several blocks — including onto the on-ramp to northbound US-131 from Martin Luther King Jr. street.
“supporters of former [sic] President Donald Trump line up on Martin Luther King Jr. street ahead of the rally on July 20, 2024 [photo caption].
“supporters of former [sic] President Donald Trump line up on the on-ramp to US-131 from Martin Luther King Jr. street ahead of the rally on july 20, 2024 [photo caption].
“supporters of former [sic] President Donald Trump line up on Martin Luther King Jr. Street ahead of the rally on July 20, 2024 [photo caption].
“supporters of former [sic] President Donald Trump line up on the on-ramp to US-131 from Martin Luther King Jr. street ahead of the rally on july 20, 2024 [photo caption].
“supporters of former [sic] President Donald Trump line up on the on-ramp to US-131 from Martin Luther King Jr. street ahead of the rally on July 20, 2024 [photo caption].
“doors opened at 1 p.m. saturday, and the main event is expected at 5 p.m. the rally is streaming live on woodtv.com.
“people patiently waiting in line to reach VanAndel arena – a good 1.2 miles away, to see Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. the grand rapids, mi. appearance is their first rally following the gop convention. and one week after the assassination attempt on Trump. @woodtv pic.twitter.com/CiHOe0sNAS
— John Hogan (@JohnHoganWOOD) july 20, 2024
it’s Trump’s first rally since the attempt on his life a week ago, which left Trump with a bloodied ear and killed one attendee.
Trump’s vice presidential pick, U.S. sen. J.D. Vance of ohio, is also expected to attend.
--GRA
PRESIDENT TRUMP TAKES GRAND RAPIDS BY STORM;ATTENDEES WORRY ABOUT HIS FUTURE SAFETY.
ReplyDelete(BBC)During a campaign event attended by thousands of enthusiastic supporters, Donald Trump cast last week's assassination attempt, where he was shot in the ear,as an act of sacrifice.
After entering the arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with cover from many Secret Service agents, Trump spoke about the shooting, noting Democrats often accuse him of being a threat to democracy.
"Last week, I took a bullet for democracy," he said. "What did I do against democracy?"
The prominent white bandaging he wore during the Republican convention had been replaced by a discreet flesh-toned plaster.
Trump was not scheduled to address the crowd until 17:00 EST (22:00 BST) in his first rally with new running-mate JD Vance, but people began camping out in a queue as early as the night before.
By 13:00 EST, a line stretched for about three miles (4.8km) outside the 12,000-person Van Del Arena.
Many of those at Saturday's event in the battleground state of Michigan told the BBC that the assassination attempt, which also killed an audience member and wounded two others, would not stop them from showing support for the Republican presidential nominee. Some said they came because of the shooting.
Unlike the rally in Pennsylvania, the Grand Rapids event was held indoors, allowing security officers to carefully monitor who entered and to cut off threats from outside the rally.
In his speech, Trump thanked the “thousands and thousands” of people who came to see him “almost exactly” a week after the assassination attempt.
“I stand before you only by the grace of almighty God,” he said, repeating his belief that divine intervention saved him from being killed.
Some of those,who attended the rally,feared that Mr.Trump is still not safe from those who want to harm him.
"He needs to be careful,"said one woman at the rally.
--GRA