Thousands gather at Monroe Civic Center to welcome Trump for rally
Bonnie Bolden
The crowd started gathering Tuesday afternoon and by Wednesday morning, more than a thousand people were waiting outside the Monroe Civic Center to welcome President Donald Trump to a rally supporting Republican gubernatorial nominee Eddie Rispone.
Around 4 p.m., the audience was being admitted in batches ahead of the 7 p.m. rally.
More than 40,000 people requested tickets for the event, and the Monroe Civic Center can hold between 7,500 and 10,000 people. A large screen will broadcast the rally to the crowd outside that can't fit in the venue.
Darlene and Fred Smith from Richland, Mississippi were a part of that huge crowd, near the front of a line for people needing ADA-compliant seating or veterans and one guest each.
Darlene Smith said they came to support "our president."
"He's the best president we've had in quite a long time. He's in it for the people. He's not in it for the money. He's not getting paid," she said.
Close behind the Smiths, Virginia Dix from Vicksburg, Mississippi said she went to the recent rally in Tupelo, found out about the one in Monroe and came over. She said they're big Trump supporters and enjoy the rallies and speakers.
Todd Guillot from Melville, Louisiana brought three others to support Trump and "our governor, Eddie."
He said the state needs someone like Rispone from a working background, not a political one, to help sustain jobs in the oil and gas industry. He said Gov. John Bel Edwards has brought suit against the industry but someone like Rispone could help things pick up.
The event drew lots of local interest. On Monday night, the Ouachita Parish Police Jury passed a resolution welcoming Trump to the parish.
MORE:Gov. John Bel Edwards holds rally to offset Trump visit to Monroe, Louisiana
Casey Taylor of West Monroe said he doesn't know much about politics but likes the president's foreign policies and feels safe in America.
He found a fake news jacket at Walmart after Halloween and knew he'd want to wear it to the event.
Periodically, an announcement was played stating that the event is paid for by Trump's election campaign, and it's a private event. It said if someone launches a protest during the event, fans should alert security by holding up an event sign and loudly chanting "Trump, Trump, Trump."
Across the street, in front of Monroe City Hall, the NAACP Monroe/Ouachita Parish Branch and other protestors were chanting "lock him up."
The Rev. Ambrose Douzart, president of the local NAACP chapter, said the president is making choices that affect all Americans. He said the group is proud of the achievements Edwards has made and trying to remove him in unwarranted.
Contact Bonnie Bolden at bbolden@thenewsstar.com or on Twitter @Bonnie_Bolden_.
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