Posted on 02/04/2017 10:29:27 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
When protesters for and against President Donald Trump’s sweeping travel ban on visitors from seven mostly Muslim countries clashed at LAX a week ago, they nearly came to blows.
Saturday’s continuation of the demonstrations, which included a formal “Make America Safe Again Rally” by Trump supporters, proved much less inflammatory.
“I didn’t vote for Trump; I voted for the Constitution,” declared Matthew Woods, a 58-year-old artist who lives in Canoga Park, clutching three large American flags, not including one serving as a cape. “Our message: Make America safe again.
“Our president has a right to limit immigration from any country in the interest of national security.”
The pro-Trump demonstration across the road from protesters of the travel ban just outside the Tom Bradley International Terminal came one day after a federal judge temporarily suspended the decree.
The Department of Homeland Security halted the travel ban Friday after a Seattle judge issued a temporary restraining order against major restrictions outlined in Trump’s Jan. 27 executive order. The order had affected tens of thousands of visa holders.
Trump’s White House has declared the restrictions lawful, and on Saturday moved to block the temporary restraining order, instructing the Justice Department to file a notice of appeal to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking an emergency stay.
Last Sunday, thousands of protesters had flocked to Los Angeles International Airport, blocking traffic to demonstrate against the travel order. On Saturday, about a hundred protesters continued to wield such signs as “No ban, no wall: America was built for all.”
Their “Dump Trump” chants echoed six traffic lanes away from an “Americans first: God bless Donald Trump” refrain, punctuated by supportive honks from motorists.
“It’s a re-evaluation of what patriotism means,” said Jeremy White, an organizer for Californians for Progress, which has supported the weeklong demonstrations against the president. “I believe it means standing up for inclusion, standing up for refugees.
“We made a mistake during World War II, when we sent boatloads of refugees back. And they were exterminated.”
But among the roughly two dozen pro-Trump supporters, it was about the rule of law and the right of a sovereign nation to safeguard its borders.
Throughout an afternoon of a sun reaching through puffy storm clouds, they smiled at motorists, hoisted Old Glory, and waved such signs as “Love America: respect our laws,” “Eliminate sanctuary cities: enforce existing laws,” and “Make America Safe Again.”
Many demonstrators hailed from the San Fernando Valley, where they said their Trump support group during the presidential election was not only spurned by Republican leaders, but by the Trump campaign itself.
They included artists, entertainment industry producers, actors, animal rescuers and home care nurses. They said Trump is what this country needs: a man who can pull a nation out of “hell in a handbasket.”
“We’re sending the true message, not the mainstream media message. This is not a ban on Muslims, or any race or religion,” said Randi Berger, 54, of Encino, a co-founder of San Fernando Valley for Trump, wearing an “America: no more bull” button. “It’s about properly vetting anyone coming into this country.”
Nearby, Elsa Aldeguer of Canoga Park proudly bore a “Latinos for Trump” placard. In 1989, she’d emigrated from war-torn El Salvador, she said, and has since become a naturalized citizen.
A Trump supporter, she said she joined a recent women’s march against Trump to urge women not to cast their anger at Trump supporters.
“Trump is not a racist,” said Aldeguer, a single mom who works in home health care. “He’s not. This man is not against Muslims. He’s about protecting America. And I’m grateful to God for him.”
Thirty-six-year-old Ian Coyne of Valley Village gestured to the airport that has conducted rigorous screenings since the 9/11 terrorist attack. He said he joined the demonstration so that a “silent majority” of Trump supporters could feel that they are not alone.
“They want people to take their shoes off at the airport for security,” said Coyne, a self-professed member of “Trump’s Twitter Army.” “But at the same time, they don’t allow us to vet people that come from hot spots of terrorism. Makes no sense.”
Tim Treadstone, an actor and musician who goes by “Baked Alaska,” gestured toward a pro-Trump curb lined with Stars and Stripes opposite the no-Trump protesters in front of the Bradley terminal.
“Look at all the American flags here,” said Treadstone, 29, of Burbank, a native of the Last Frontier state. “The other side has Mexican flags, flags of the Middle Eastern countries. We’re here.
“We’re Americans. You’ve got to come here legally. I know it sucks for some. But we’ve got to uphold the law.”
Ping!
Maybe dueling should be brought back.
An armed society is a polite society they say.
If I was flying out of LA, I would be doing so from a different airport, something miles away from the commotion.
I’m going to be a helluva lot more civil to the next fellow if I know he’s carrying...just sayin’
maybe if Obama hadn’t led USA right down the unemployment sewer with 100 million adults out of work................
all these folks would have gainful employment and would not be making fools of themselves or stirring up trouble on the streets all day
a real job is gonna pay more than a SorozNazi riot for a day stipend
Under the very best circumstances, LAX is an other-worldly zoo...and I don’t mean that in any kind of good way.
Amen to that.
Constitutional Carry, nationwide, regardless of venue should be everyone’s goal if you love liberty.
Driving through the LAX U is hard enough. Terminal 4 is at the apex.
What a mess.
I’ve certainly seen worse articles in LADN. They actually reported the Trump supporters’ POV.
Yeah. I always leave out of 3 or 4 and it’s super busy at times through there.
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