Posted on 09/15/2015 1:05:58 PM PDT by Red Steel
Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump picked a World War II-era battleship in San Pedro as a backdrop to share his views Tuesday about national security.
Trump’s appearance, organized by Veterans for a Strong America, is expected to draw more than 1,000 attendees to the top deck of the USS Iowa, which has been docked in Los Angeles as a nonprofit tourist attraction, community gathering space and educational museum since 2012.
The Iowa was launched in 1942 and recommissioned in 1984 during the military build up at the end of the Cold War. In April 1989, an explosion of undetermined origin wrecked her No. 2 gun turret, killing 47 sailors.
ome critics contend Trump’s visit — on the eve of the CNN Republican candidate debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library — is not an appropriate use of the battleship. An online petition, “Tell the USS Iowa: We Don’t Want Trump in San Pedro,” had garnered more than 3,500 signatures as of late last week from area residents calling for the event to be canceled.
“This battleship is part of American history and should not allow a man who has injured and insulted a significant portion of the Los Angeles community,” wrote Gabriela Lopez of San Pedro, who started the petition on Change.org. “We are for freedom of speech, however this ship represents freedom, equality and justice; terms that do not align with Mr. Trump’s political views.”
“We are not taking sides — this is neutral ground,” Williams said. “Our number one goal is to be a community platform, and freedom of speech is a great thing, whether that’s from Trump or from protestors. We are happy people are talking.”
This is the first time Veterans for a Strong America has used the battleship, which rents out and hosts a variety of events throughout the year, from free community movie nights and a veterans’ job fair to corporate events that can be much larger in scale than Trump’s appearance, Williams said.
Registration and advance payment is required for those interested in attending the event. For details, visit www.veteransforamerica.org.
Thank you
Thanks
Another post said they limited the tickets to 1,000
Hmmmmmmmm
Crowd chants Trump Trump Trump...
Trump now speaking.
Trump just got the endorsement from the veterans group
Trump said he didn’t expect it
Cool.
Trump has got a lot of energy speaking on the Iowa.
We have no leadership ...I’m going to build the wall... Mexico is going to pay for the wall
Here’s a start: what is the US trade deficit with China, Japan, Mexico?
Over 7000 people watching on WP You Tube now. More than last night.
About half hour speech on the Iowa. Trump came with much energy for it.
Already over. Throwing caps to the crowd... LOL
Thank you everyone for the youtube link. I would have missed the speech. Trump was great once again.
Replaying the speech if anyone missed it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27gg7nEdp_c
Also Trump’s speech was played on CSPAN and CNN.
Fox, Megyn Kelly is having a parade of his rivals on according to Fox Phoenix.
There was never any evidence of it. The Navy slandered a dead sailor to prevent an examination of the machinery and practices aboard the ship.
Watched it on the local CA FOX feed. 1000+ there on replay. Didn’t catch number on original
Megan Kelly is really on a rant.
I understand he was cleared, an apology given to his family. Sad
Just think how Trump feels being in a room filled with people all gunning for him. I read they even stacked the audience.
No wonder it is so rare for someone good to actually run with all they are put through.
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