President Trump campaign rally in Mesa begins

PHOENIX — President Donald Trump held a campaign rally in Mesa for Senate candidate Martha McSally and other Republican candidates on Friday.

The rally took place at International Air Response at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Doors opened to the public at 2:30 p.m., three hours before the start of the event.

Thousands of supporters stood in line to get into the venue lined up around the venue ahead of the rally. Supporters and opponents were separated in free speech zones by 70 feet outside.

The event featured an estimated 40,000 people in attendance, according to Mesa police as reported by KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jessica Suerth. This exceeds capacity by 35,000.

The crowd filled inside of the hangar to decorations for the rally featuring banners that read “Promises Made” and “Promises Kept.”

Big crowd already inside of the hangar at Gateway Airport in Mesa and many, many more still to come for tonight’s campaign rally with President Trump. Live reports coming up ⁦@KTAR923⁩ pic.twitter.com/anHVgC7tup

— Jim Cross (@Crossfire923) October 19, 2018

President Trump visited the Luke Force Air Base prior to the rally to meet with Arizona lawmakers including McSally, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Rep. Tom O’Halleran, Rep. Debbie Lesko, a Boeing official and others.

Meanwhile, Trump’s rally began without him with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

President Donald Trump is meeting with lawmakers at Luke Air Force Base in the West Valley but #TrumpinAz is already kicking off with a prayer and the pledge of allegiance. pic.twitter.com/FiA7ekcHDy

— KTAR News (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018

Trump landed just before 6:30 p.m. To start the rally, Gov. Doug Ducey and Rep. Andy Biggs, among others, spoke to the crowd.

Ducey encourages Trump supporters to vote McSally into the Senate. #TrumpInAZ pic.twitter.com/yBFKhlPYeN

— KTAR News (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018

“Build the Wall” chants break out after Biggs says Congress needs to push the border wall bill that he introduced. #TrumpInAZ pic.twitter.com/QYXjpmDSsL

— KTAR News (@KTAR923) October 20, 2018

According to Mesa PD, attendees filled all parking and there is no alternative parking available.

PARKING UPDATE (3:50 PM): Presidential event parking is now at capacity. There will be no alternative parking available. #TrumpInAZ pic.twitter.com/kFqxfz1PCo

— Mesa Police Dept. (@MesaPD) October 19, 2018

Mesa PD closed down Sossaman Road and Ray Road near the venue temporarily. Consider alternative routes.

TRAFFIC UPDATE (5:05 PM): Sossaman Road and Ray Road are temporarily closed. Please avoid the area if you do not need to be there. #TrumpInAZ #AZTraffic pic.twitter.com/2WTdykDQly

— Mesa Police Dept. (@MesaPD) October 20, 2018

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