Supporters, adversaries clash at Donald Trump rally in Fountain Hills, Ariz.
Mar 19, 2016, 3:41 PM | Updated: 5:12 pm
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally Saturday, March 19, 2016, in Fountain Hills, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX — Donald Trump once again illustrated the excessive amount of influence he holds over his supporters — and his adversaries — during a rally in Fountain Hills, Arizona, on Saturday.
Donned in “Make America Great Again” hats and “Donald Trump for President 2016” T-shirts, Trump’s fans awaited patiently in the hot Arizona sun to see the man who they hope will become the next president of the United States of America.
#DonaldTrump is set to take the stage at 11 and everyone is more than ready to hear him speak. @ktar923 pic.twitter.com/8u1kcmH7Uu
— Jessica Suerth (@suerthjessica) March 19, 2016
In typical Trump fashion, the billionaire mogul arrived an hour late to his rally at Fountain Park, but the crowd of 10,000 or so supporters did not seem to mind.
#DonaldTrump took the stage an hour late at his rally, but supporters were still energetic. @ktar923 pic.twitter.com/T5fIfXj4iv
— Jessica Suerth (@suerthjessica) March 19, 2016
Trump did not roll up alone: the Republican presidential candidate’s posse included former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
“I just idolize the man,” said Trump supporter Diana Brest. “He speaks what’s on his mind and says it and doesn’t back down.”
Trump took to the stage, set in front of a large American flag and grandiose water display that reached as high as Trump’s proposed wall, in great glory.
During his hour-long speech, he spoke vaguely about building a wall along the Mexico-U.S. border, establishing free “and smart” trade and convincing companies like Carrier and Nabisco to move their headquarters back to the U.S.
Trump mentioned the wall would have a “big, beautiful door” to let immigrants in legally and would deter them from going over or under it.
“He’s saying what I’m thinking,” said Trump supporter Dan Nida. “We’re losing America, just like [Trump] said. We need to bring it back again.”
While Trump took the stage to a myriad of older, white residents drowning in a sea of patriotism from being surrounded by their ideal presidential candidate, opponents on the other side were not as content.
Protesters stood their ground and used vehicles donning anti-Trump banners to shut down Shea Boulevard in an effort to keep anyone from attending the rally.
Protesters shut down main road leading to Trump event near Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/qcqdoGdWHW
— Jacob Rascon (@Jacobnbc) March 19, 2016
Traffic was blocked off for miles and, according to Arpaio, three people were arrested in connection to the disruption.
Some protesters did attend the rally where there were some verbal arguments between supporters and protesters, but no physical altercations at the Fountain Park rally.
“[Trump] engenders racism certainly,” said protester Susan Fallon. “He engenders hate and he’s essentially a con artist.”
Most of the presidential candidates are campaigning heavily in Arizona, just days ahead of the state primary on Tuesday when 58 Republican and 85 Democratic delegates will be up for grabs.
According to FiveThirtyEight, Trump has a 91 percent chance of winning the primary, followed by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s nine percent.
KTAR’s Mike Sackley contributed to this report.
