Outside Trump’s Rally

WILDWOOD – Wildwood may have its reputation as a party town, but it outdid itself Jan. 28 when crowds descended around the boardwalk for a rally held by President Donald Trump inside the Wildwoods Convention Center.
In the early morning hours, those who camped overnight – or even for multiple nights (http://bit.ly/37FVqyF) – were joined by an influx of fevered supporters in line, which would be better described as a festival.
Trump, hours after his lawyers concluded their opening arguments during his impeachment trial in the Senate, left Washington and jetted from Andrews Air Force Base, in Maryland, to the Atlantic City International Airport, in Egg Harbor Township. He arrived at 5:45 p.m., according to press reports, for his first visit to New Jersey since taking office.
From there, he flew on Marine One to Cape May County Airport, in Erma, and then traveled to Wildwood via motorcade. Once in Wildwood, he drove down Montgomery Avenue, past a sea of supporters – in places at least five or six deep – and pulled into the Convention Center about five minutes before 7 p.m.
Watching From Outside 
Many of those who arrived Jan. 28 were unable to enter the Convention Center, which has a capacity of about 7,400 people. As Trump took the stage, there were crowds outside left to watch on jumbotrons set up in the parking lot and in Fox Park, across the street.
During his speech, Trump took a moment to acknowledge the crowds outside of the packed venue.
“We have tens of thousands of people outside,” said Trump. “If anybody would like to give them your place, please let us know.” 
Reports of crowd size varied from Trump’s “tens of thousands” to a few thousand.
Ron Schafer, who has been coming to Wildwood since he was 3 years old, hoped to get into the rally. He ended up watching in Fox Park.
“We were trying to get into the rally, but obviously there was too long of a line when we got down here at 1:30 p.m.,” Schafer said. “We kind of figured we weren’t going to get in, so we’re happy with this.”
Jonah Williams, a teenager who said he just got his driver’s license, decided to put that new freedom to use and take the drive from Cherry Hill to Wildwood in hopes of seeing the president. 
“I tried to get in the line at 2:30 p.m. There was no getting in there at 2:30 p.m.,” Williams said. “We’re still able to hear him talk. We’re still with people of the community. It’s still nice to get out here and listen to it.”
Temperatures outside the venue were frigid, and a steady wind whipped across the unprotected parking lot, but that didn’t seem to bother many.
“The energy is keeping you warm. We’re all having a good time, we’re all here together. It’s a happy environment right now,” said Connor Norton, a Trump supporter.
Protestors vs. Supporters 
An organized protest, put together by Cape May County Indivisible, was held in a parking lot at the boardwalk and Bennet Avenue, and attended by hundreds.
The boardwalk, which bordered the protest, served as a perch from which Trump supporters could heckle the protestors.
Most protestors did not engage with the hecklers, who successfully interrupted some of the scheduled speakers, with chants of “build that wall” and “U-S-A.”
The lineup of speakers was highlighted by Martin Luther King III, the civil rights leader’s eldest son, and Amy Kennedy, a Democrat and candidate to replace U.S. Rep Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd) in Congress. Van Drew spoke inside the Convention Center after being introduced by Trump.
Joe Piccoli, a Wildwood native living in Court House, brought his whole family, including his young kids, to the protest.
Piccoli, holding a sign reading “Trump is guilty” on one side, and “Tweet people with respect” on the other, engaged one-on-one with some of Trump’s supporters on the boardwalk.
“They called my 13-year-old son an a**hole, and they’re giving the finger to little kids,” Piccoli complained. “People are cursing and giving us the finger. Cursing at the kids is the worst part when we’re trying to protest peacefully.”
Asked why he would bring his kids to this environment, Piccoli said he thinks it is an important lesson for them.
“When there is something that is wrong with our democracy, they’ll know they have to organize and get together with people to help stop it. I think it’s good for them to see that,” Piccoli said. “It’s good for them to see how the other people are acting that obviously are not acting like us, being peaceful. They’re being rude and obnoxious, so my kids can tell the difference between the right and the wrong.”
Earlier in the day, in the Convention Center parking lot, where the line to get into the venue was positioned a group of protestors walked by holding signs. They were hit with plastic bottles, pieces of soft pretzel and other flying debris coming from the line.
The organized protest was controlled by police.
Christina Sweeney, a local resident and protestor, said she could feel the hate directed toward those objecting to the president.
“They hate us so much. They hate me because I’m a woman. Just hate. I don’t hate them. I want them to make their lives better,” Sweeney said. “I want them to get an affordable education and get themselves out of whatever poor person’s anger they’re feeling that they’ve been deprived and robbed of the American dream. Trump doesn’t care about their education, Trump doesn’t care about their health care, Trump doesn’t care about them. That’s why he issued over 100,000 tickets when they can only let 7,400 in.”
Many of the protestors held signs, and there were some less-than-flattering, inflatable renderings of the president. One protestor wore jailhouse stripes and a Trump mask.
Michael Graham, a construction worker, was among the Trump supporters on the boardwalk focusing on the protest. He said he walked down so he could tell the protestors “to shut up.”
“Obviously, they have their First Amendment rights, but they’re basing it on opinions,” Graham said. “President Trump is going to win this election, and if he doesn’t, it’s because Democrats have rigged the election process. If that happens, you’re going to see a civil war. You’re going to see angry, patriotic Americans using their God-given rights to overthrow a tyrannical government, and that’s a fact.”
Scott Bolton, who held a “Don’t Tread On Me” flag and wore a “Make America Great Again” hat, said he came to the protest area because he wanted to try to have some level of discourse.
“Honest to God, I believe that we should interact with protestors because, sure, they have the right to their opinions, but we have the right to ours. Frankly, I think we should have the right to debate them,” Bolton said. “That’s why I’m down here. I’m trying to find someone to debate with, so that way I could actually have a civil conversation without someone lashing out at me.”
Watching the Motorcade 
Large crowds gathered as Montgomery Avenue was closed to traffic and a buzz of speculation began to circulate that this would be Trump’s route to the Convention Center.
As helicopters passed overhead, some worried that the motorcade would be a decoy to thwart potential threats and that Trump would be delivered by Marine One.
However, as blue and red lights reflected off the building, the crowd came to a sudden crescendo, as a fleet of armored vehicles turned down the street.
Trump sat in the second of two identical limousines with the interior light on in the back, waving to his supporters.
“Everyone was hoping he did something like that,” said Matt Leader, of Philadelphia, who watched the motorcade drive by. “It’s definitely something I will remember. It’s kind of crazy that it happened in Wildwood. I used to come here as a kid. It’s pretty cool.”
“We waited for about a half an hour, and it was awesome,” said James Taylor, of Philadelphia. “We saw the president. Yes, we did. It was unbelievable.”
John Kovac, who owns a summer home in Wildwood, said he waited a few hours, securing a spot in hopes to see the president in his limousine.
“We saw him come through here,” Kovac said. “We’ll get in line, too, but it was just as important to see him come in.”
Vendors on the Boardwalk
Wildwood issued permits to vendors to sell merchandise at folding tables on one section of the boardwalk, south of the Convention Center.
One stand had one option to choose from – a t-shirt depicting something quite familiar on those historic boards. “Watch the Trump Car Please!” t-shirts were on sale, playing off of the famous Wildwood tram car.
“I’ve never done anything like this before in my entire life,” said Michael Foley, a firefighter in Philadelphia, who was manning the booth. “It’s my first Trump rally in my life. It’s a lot of good energy.”
Foley said one woman walking by had a different idea for a tram car themed play on words.
“We saw a lady, actually, who’s anti-Trump, and she had a thing that said the “sham-car,” and she took a picture with us with our shirt and it was great. She was great. As long as it’s peaceful, it’s all good,” Foley said.
Many of the other vendors along the boardwalk are Trump rally regulars, traveling the country to sell Trump-themed gear wherever the president speaks.
“I’ve been to 48 rallies total,” said Sony Dash, a Manhattan resident. “I’ve seen parts of the world I never thought of opening my mind to, especially middle America because I’ve been living in liberal mecca all of my life. So, it’s been wonderful to see so many generous and nice people.”
Asked how this rally compared to others she’s traveled for, Dash said it was quiet.
“It’s quiet and it’s cold. It’s always pleasant. It’s never rowdy. The only ones that are rowdy are the protestors,” she said.
Standing in front of boxes of unsold Trump car shirts, Foley agreed.
“I’m a little frozen, so it’s hard to talk,” he said.
So Long, For Now
Trump was in Wildwood for less than two hours, and crossed the George Redding Bridge to leave town at 8:40 p.m.
Traffic was held for about 20 minutes, as his motorcade whisked him off the island.
Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law, said on local radio that because 175,000 tickets were requested for the Wildwood rally, the most of any of Trump’s rally so far, the president would hold another one in the future. 
To contact Shay Roddy, email sroddy@cmcherald.com.