Posted on 03/14/2016 8:42:26 AM PDT by Iron Munro
Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump will hold a town hall meeting in Tampa today on the eve of the Florida primary. Trump will speak at 2 p.m. at the Tampa Convention Center. Admission are free, but spectators need to register at the Eventbrite website.
Security has been beefed up in the wake of protests at recent Trump rallies that have become violent. Trump called off a rally in Chicago on Friday due to concerns about possible confrontations with protesters and supporters, and on Saturday a man was arrested after jumping a fence and attempting to rush the stage while Trump was speaking.
One local protest began at 10:30 a.m. at MacDill Park on the Hillsborough River, next to land once slated for a tower that was to bear Trump’s name. Speakers were set to include representatives from the Florida Council of Churches and the Center on American Islamic Relationship. Participants are slated to march along the Riverwalk to the convention center.
That protest doesn’t plan on entering the convention center. Organizers urged participants to attend “in the spirit of nonviolence,” promising to turn in to authorities any lawbreakers in the group.
“This is a non-violent action and are not going inside,” organizer Kevin O’Hare wrote in a Facebook post. “Inside the event, as with all of Trump’s events, we cannot vouch for your safety. Any attempt to break the law, we will not hesitate to turn you over to the Tampa Police Department or Secret Service. If you are unable to adhere to this, please do not attend.”
According to reports, other demonstrators are planning to attend, some from outside the area.
Today’s campaign stop will impact traffic patterns in the downtown area, police said. Franklin Street in front of the convention center will be closed during the morning from Channelside Drive south to Old Water Street, the Tampa Police Department said.
Motorists who wish to get to Harbour Island can enter and exit using the Beneficial Drive bridge, east of Franklin Street, police said. The rally is expected to have a minimal effect on morning rush hour and the afternoon rush hour. Police said no other road closures are expected.
The rally comes ahead of the Florida primary, in which 99 winner-take-all delegates are available in the Republican race. Recents polls show Trump with a significant lead of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.
Trump will begin the day with a campaign rally at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina. He called off a rally at his Trump National Doral resort in South Florida to attend an event in Youngstown, Ohio.
Ohio, like Florida, will host its GOP primary on Tuesday and has 66 delegates available. Other primaries on Tuesday will be Illinois, North Carolina, Missouri, and a caucus in the Northern Mariana Islands.
He probably just took an early lunch break from his cubicle at work. He’ll be headed back soon to get in his 8+ hours.
As long as they maintain a Republican state govt, there’s always hope. Obviously Chicago and Baltimore have “benefited” from a lot of Dem state control.
They will have their morning eye-opener,smoke a joint and then try to remember where they are and how they got there.
The looks of that guy just screams “love”, doesn’t it? LMAO.
Tampa won’t likely be Chicago or Baltimore in mine or my kid’s lifetime. Local lib governments are very limited in what they can do to move things leftward, they are surrounded by other government institutions and voters that keep them mostly in check.
I’m from Baltimore originally. I moved here 14 years ago and trust me, I have never looked back. Even with a dem mayor, this place is paradise in comparison.
Shoud go after Soros.....
Should demand the DOJ take action...
plus
the local cops should crack a few skulls...
So what happened to the new FEDERAL LAW that is intended to allow free speech to ANYONE protected by secret service people? I’m not certain of the law number which ODUMBO signed into law not too long ago. Any Freepers able to add the number?
Notice the reporter, covering this ‘event’.
....knowingly, and with intent to impede or disrupt the orderly conduct of Government business or official functions, engages in disorderly or disruptive conduct in, or within such proximity to, any restricted building or grounds when, or so that, such conduct, in fact, impedes or disrupts the orderly conduct of Government business or official functions;
....
(1) the term restricted buildings or grounds means any posted, cordoned off, or otherwise restricted area—
(A) of the White House or its grounds, or the Vice President’s official residence or its grounds;
(B) of a building or grounds where the President or other person protected by the Secret Service is or will be temporarily visiting;
I suspect this could be imported talent, whole different animal.
Lol
Yea,HIPPIES don’t usually get up until when???..Late afternoon???..Maybe???
They are all very well fed.
Trump’s not hiring these people to guarantee his election is he?
If they turn their signs around it will say “Will work for Food, or Drugs, or a Green card”
“Anti-Free Speech Fasicts” protest outside Trump rally.
They don't have anything else to do on a Monday.
As they long as they stay outside and protest peacefully, most of us encourage them to exercise their Constitutional rights.
If they try to do again what they did in Chiraq and deny us our rights, the rest of us are ready to start breaking heads.
As long as they don't deny others their constitutional rights.
As they did in Chicago and as they have been trying to do at other Trump venues.
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