I was there with another woman, a friend of mine who was unable to travel to Iowa rally when I went before. We hung out with a very large ex-marine at rally...the danger occured when we had left the parking garage. Protesters breached the line and were on the side of the garage...we truly were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
It was her birthday and she wanted to go. I did not think we would even get in as we left rather late to get there....(figured we would find a nice restaurant and have dinner). ...
So for first part of afternoon and until 5, it was ok...safe, pleasant people buying food, chatting, etc.... it was good until about 5:00...then the protesters and rent-a-mob thugs got busy :(
All h*ll broke lose when Trump cancelled...the protesters went nuts screaming Bernie Bernie Bernie.
The rally bad thugs seemed to be mostly outside. Full of hate and dangerous :(
Kudos for going into the belly of the beast. Take a companion next time.
Also, get a 10, 12, or 14 oz. can of bear spray. Shoots a stream about 25 feet. Buy one at Bass Shops, Cabella’s, Gander Mountain, Scheels, Big Five, REI, Adventue Outfitters, etc., or online.
A can of Lysol and a lighter makes an outstanding flame thrower, just in case you want to take it up a notch. The wasp spray is an excellent alternative.
The ultimate self defense device- the Streetsweeper 12 gauge shotgun with a hundred round drum magazine. lol
My heart was in my throat watching on TV. Can’t imagine what you went through.