Sorry, fell asleep at my desk. Yeah, we had a great time. Stayed up late last night, then got up early and left for the rally with no breakfast. Lucked into a great parking spot on the street just outside the entrance to the convention center. Stopped at the first street vendor’s table on the way in and purchased “Make America Great Again” hats.
We followed the crowd and eventually found the end of the long line snaking back and around the complex. An hour or so later after being searched and checked out by metal detectors and bomb sniffing dogs, we were directed up an elevator and to the handicap seating area in the rear balcony section. They were good seats with a great view of the entire arena, but not close-in so no way did we have a chance to meet Trump. Didn’t see any other FReepers there either.
Trump gave a rousing speech and had the place rocking. Opened with a talk about our Valley federal water problems and promised that if he were elected, the water would be turned back on. To hell with the job-killing, farmer-hating environmentalists! That brought the cheering Fresno crowd to their feet. It was LOUD!
He talked for about an hour bringing out all his America-first positions and kept the crowd roaring all the way through. We were interrupted by protesters a couple times who got escorted out for their troubles. The police made short work of it and there was no violence.
Trump worked the crowd up into a loud crescendo at the end of his speech talking about all the ways we will be winning for a change after he’s elected.
After the speech Trump came down and mingled with the surging crowd for awhile. There was a huge crowd on the floor and no way could we get close, so we waited and watched for a bit and then worked our way to the elevator.
When we got to the lower level, there was a wall of police, security people and secret service who were guiding and shunting the crowd out the back doors and eventually to the street where we were parked. We saw helicopters and heard bullhorns and crowd noises but couldn’t see what was going on. Apparently, there was a raucous protest going on on the other side of the complex. I don’t think it quite make it to the riot stage, but there were a couple arrests.
We got back into the freepermobile and the traffic cops efficiently directed us away from the area and back to the freeway. We stopped at a Mexican restaurant for lunch where the proprietor came to our table for a bit to discuss the rally. Sounded like he was all in favor of securing the borders.
Sorry, don’t have any pictures to post, but Syncro took some and a video or two which he will post later. Don’t know how big the crowd was but it was in the thousands. Maybe 10,000 to 15,000 or more?
Thank you so much for the wonderful report!
Attending a Trump Rally is a lifetime event IMHO!
I had the time of my life.
I wish I could have attended today but after watching San Diego’s Fox 5 LIVE for the past 90 minutes, I don’t feel as sad as I thought I would. Those protestors are the scum of the earth. We had no such animals in Mississippi
Mr. Donald Trump is truly one in a Trillion. There’s nobody like him. He’s amazing.
Praying he wins and wins in a landslide!
God bless and keep you, dearest Jim.
Glad you made it there. A Trump campaign rally is like no other American presidential campaign event.
Thanks for your report.
Thank you for going and for the report!
Thanks for the reply.
You know me the contrarian, surely Donald knows that water is feeding Vegas ;)
Glad yall had fun.
lets get focused and hit the home stretch
Sounded like he was all in favor of securing the borders.
Thanks for the after-action report, JR! I know it was “historical”!
Glad you had a good time and didn’t run into any protesters. Don’t forget the pics, Sync. xoxo
Who’s gonna pay for the wall?
Can’t get it to play without all the ads etc at tinypic but here is one video
Great report, Jim.
Watched the Fresno rally after a busy day—it was a classic.
Glad Trump knew about the water issue—that must have been music to the farmers’ ears—they have been getting shafted by our own government.
That’s great, Jim! Thank you!
Thanks for the report.
Imagine a president concerned about the farmers and people living in the big valley area versus a worthless 3 inch fish.
Californians need to vote for Trump in our primary and general elections!
Glad you had a good time and were able to get in and out easily
Thanks for the after report.
Status of After-Action Report: Nice.
Awesome report!
Wish I’d been there!