Posted on 08/19/2017 8:06:30 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
UPLAND >> A group that had announced plans to hold a rally in Upland next month in support of President Donald Trump’s national security policies is now looking for a new location to assemble.
An ACT for America rally was being planned for Sept. 9 in Upland at the Madonna of the Trail, according to a Facebook post. The location of the rally, which now says “Inland Empire ((somewhere))” was changed Friday after a top Upland official made it clear a permit for the rally would be denied.
It is part of “America First” rallies being held nationwide that day.
“This event will be in dedication to all first responders and national security. We appreciate all the hard work our men and woman of service has provided for our protection. As Americans we are giving thanks for protecting our beautiful country,” the Facebook description stated.
Organizers for the event did not respond to requests for comment.
The city had not received a permit request for the rally, but the permit would have been denied, said interim City Manager Martin Thouvenell.
“In view of the issues going on in the United States, the casualties and injuries, I would not be inclined to issue this type of permit,” he said.
He was referring to the violent clash last weekend between white supremacist groups and counterprotestors in Charlottesville, Virginia, that resulted in three deaths.
ACT for America, which stands for American Congress for Truth, calls itself a “national security organization.” In June, a San Bernardino outlet of the group held the Inland March Against Sharia, which triggered counterprotests and violence.
ACT for America is listed as the largest grass-roots anti-Muslim hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors hate groups in the United States.
The rally would have been held near the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Euclid Avenue, both major thoroughfares in the city. Thouvenell said an event like this is likely to draw counterprotestors, which could present a safety concern.
“The city and the Police Department is ready to handle the situation” in the event the rally is still held, he said.
As of Friday afternoon, 62 people had said they were going and another 86 were interested in the Upland rally. At least two counterprotests had already popped up on Facebook; One counter event, called “United4Love2,” says it will be held in Upland but didn’t give a location.
“We will come out to prove that out of many we are one; that LOVE is the most powerful force on earth,” the description stated.
The local organizer for the ACT for America rally originally contacted Thouvenell about holding an event at the civic center in front of City Hall, Thouvenell said. He requested the organizer give him information about the event, which he later received.
Thouvenell later determined it would not be appropriate, because of safety issues, to hold an event at the location. He never heard back from the organizer and thought the issue was resolved until he heard from someone at ACT for America in Washington, D.C., at which point Thouvenell said he told them no.
It wasn’t until recently that Thouvenell said he heard about the Sept. 9 rally.
“Any special event, we need to know how many people are going to be there because it can be very difficult for safety reasons,” he elaborated by phone Friday morning. “I’m not trying to prohibit free speech; I do have concern about safety.”
gnip
Is this (the city planning to deny the permit) because they do not think they can provide enough security to prevent the violent “counter-protesters” from crashing the rally?
I’m thinking that if the security is massive for the rallies, the “counter-protesters” will not be able to cause mayhem in the way that they want.
I guess I need to see if I can cause this ahole some grief.
Talk about memories flooding back.
Just see if it is real. Maybe Sean will give a mention.
I like the name Inland. It would be a great name for one of the three or four states When California is broken up
Worked at Pipersky Nurseries in Ontario and Chino as a kid.
I’m in Claremont and grew up in these parts. We don’t take kindly to anti-free speech ‘round heah.
“If it had been Black Lives Matter it would’ve been approved in a heartbeat. “
No it wouldn’t. Upland is in deep financial doo doo. The city doesn’t have the resources to handle anything much less an assault by say BLM, or Antifa, whatever.
The guy who said no to any permit is recently appointed interim City Manager. He’s going to try to straighten out the mess the city is in until they get a new City Manager.
Upland just can’t afford to take the chance to issue a permit for any such assembly no matter the intent as they don’t have the financial resources should something go awry.
They were doing great when I left Chino in 1974. What happened?
Pensions. Typical California City pensions. According to what I was reading the city is lucky if they have a surplus of a couple hundred thou. in the bank.
I’m between Woodcrest, and Elsinore in the boonies. When I read the article I wanted to know about the guy in Upland who said no to permitting the event. Wanted to know if he was a lefty, or what, but found he’s a good guy looking out for his city.
What I read was pensions, and mismanagement by several (4) previous city managers all whom were fired by the City Council, but damage was done.
BLM and Antifa don’t ask. They just do. Permits? We don need no steenk-eng permits!
I go by there more than once when in California and visiting relatives in Rancho Cucamonga. For reasons of available space and traffic at that intersection I would not consider it a good venue for a large rally by anyone. The Madonna of The Trails is statue monument in the center divider strip (a grass and tree lined strip maybe 20 feet wide) down the middle of Euclid Avenue.
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