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Man who tossed water balloons at Trump crowd ‘did what I had to do’
WZZM13 ^ | 04/04/19 | John Hogan

Posted on 04/04/2019 8:36:35 PM PDT by yesthatjallen

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Grand Rapids man who admitted to tossing water balloons into a crowd of President Donald Trump supporters pleaded guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor charge and says he might do it again.

“Actions are going to be louder than words these days,’’ a grinning Robert Dale Truax Jr. said after his appearance in Grand Rapids District Court. “Try to get three water balloons out this time. I only got out two.’’

Truax pitched the two water balloons into a sea of people gathered outside Van Andel Arena on March 28 as Trump addressed supporters inside. No injuries were reported.

“Even though in this gentleman’s mind it might seem as if it was harmless, it certainly can get someone injured,’’ Grand Rapids Police Sgt. Cathy Williams said. “And we’re not going to allow that to happen.’’

Truax had the entire incident recorded. He posted it to his YouTube page under the heading: Getting arrested at the Trump rally.’’

The profanity-laced video makes it clear that Truax does not care for Trump.

“Just got done buying some balloons at Dollar Tree because we’re gonna throw some water balloons at some Donald Trump supporters,’’ he says in the 6-½ minute video. “Like you can’t be coming to my block supporting some Donald Trump s---. So you about to get hit.’’

Truax was charged with creating a disturbance in a public place. He pleaded guilty Thursday to the misdemeanor charge, which is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Truax, who says he is unemployed, returns to court for sentencing next month.

“I was trying to stand up for the people who are just against the president,’’ he said Thursday outside the 8th floor courtroom. “In a way his supporters are just like him. I did what I had to do.’’

Truax showed up at the rally “with the intention of getting arrested,’’ police said.

“It wasn’t going to be long before he was spotted and we moved in quickly to arrest him and remove him from that crowd,’’ Williams said.

Truax was one of two people arrested during the Trump visit. Matthew James Harrington, 32, has a court hearing Friday, April 5 for creating a disturbance. Police say Harrington was trying to pick fights with people in the crowd.

When asked about the people who may have been struck by the water balloons, Truax offered this: “I’m sorry that I got you wet, but you should have brought a long-sleeve to keep a little bit warm.’’

Creating a disturbance in an emotionally-charged crowd is never a good idea, Williams said.

“Not only can you hit someone and injure them, but also you can incite panic in a group,’’ Williams said. And someone can be inadvertently hurt by people trying to move out of the way. Running, or trampled.’’

Truax justified his actions, even invoking the name of Malcolm X, a popular figure during the civil rights movement who was assassinated in 1965.

“I mean, people are always going to bring down the negative side of people speaking up and doing something,’’ he said. “Just like Malcolm X. Some people consider that man a very violent person, but in a way, I do believe he did something right.’’


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: assault; grandrapids; magahat; matthewjharrington; michigan; robertdaletruaxjr; trump; trumprally; vanandelarena
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To: eaglestar

Oh my gosh!!

That’s hilarious and the perfect response to this story!!!

You really made me laugh out loud!


21 posted on 04/04/2019 10:45:59 PM PDT by pax_et_bonum (Never Forget the SEALs of Extortion 17 - and God Bless The USA and President Trump.)
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To: Dogbert41
I knew a marine general who told his son once that if he came home with an ear ring, he’d rip it out through his nose.

My wife told our son that if he came home with a tattoo she'd take it off with a belt sander.

22 posted on 04/04/2019 10:53:25 PM PDT by Mr Ramsbotham ("God is a spirit, and man His means of walking on the earth.")
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To: yesthatjallen
Truax, who says he is unemployed ...

Imagine that.

23 posted on 04/04/2019 10:59:29 PM PDT by KevinB (If I'm ever arrested, I'm switching parties.)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; Bockscar; cardinal4; ColdOne; ...

24 posted on 04/04/2019 11:26:03 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: yesthatjallen

I would classify this as terrorist act.
The victims have no way of knowing what
the balloons were filled with. Could have
been battery acid. At the very least,
assault and battery.


25 posted on 04/04/2019 11:31:29 PM PDT by Lean-Right (Eat More Moose)
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To: eaglestar

Once again.....you nailed it.


26 posted on 04/04/2019 11:46:09 PM PDT by blondiegoodbadugly (Thank you President Trump!!!! Please continue MAGA)
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To: yesthatjallen

Somebody put a “Red Flag”: on this psycho. Search his house for guns, even waterguns, and put his ass in jail for years.

Might as well get some use out of this bad law.


27 posted on 04/05/2019 1:19:26 AM PDT by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: yesthatjallen

No “hate crime” enhanced charges? Surprise, surprise, surprise.


28 posted on 04/05/2019 2:36:04 AM PDT by utax
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To: Mr Ramsbotham

Even if it said “Mom”?


29 posted on 04/05/2019 3:51:10 AM PDT by DuncanWaring (The Lord uses the good ones; the bad ones use the Lord.)
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To: yesthatjallen

Post the guy’s pic here. Want to see his face.


30 posted on 04/05/2019 4:00:45 AM PDT by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin (Freedom is the freedom to discipline yourself so others don't have to do it for you.)
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To: SaveFerris

Thanks. Need to know what he looks like.


31 posted on 04/05/2019 4:01:31 AM PDT by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin (Freedom is the freedom to discipline yourself so others don't have to do it for you.)
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To: SaveFerris

32 posted on 04/05/2019 4:31:15 AM PDT by COBOL2Java (Marxism: Trendy theory, wrong species)
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To: SaveFerris

And, his arrest record, public documents, can reveal his current address.


33 posted on 04/05/2019 4:59:46 AM PDT by Cletus.D.Yokel (Donald J. Trump, POTUS - May Re-election Be Upon Him.)
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To: Lean-Right
I would classify this as terrorist act. The victims have no way of knowing what the balloons were filled with. Could have been battery acid. At the very least, assault and battery.

The original reports are that the balloons were urine filled. This dickweed is lucky he didn't get his ass kicked.
34 posted on 04/05/2019 5:22:42 AM PDT by farming pharmer
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To: yesthatjallen

“Actions are going to be louder than words these days,’’ a grinning Robert Dale Truax Jr. ”

Well, he’s right about that. But he ain’t gonna like it when our side finally decides that turnabout is fair play.

L


35 posted on 04/05/2019 5:27:19 AM PDT by Lurker (Peaceful coexistence with the Left is not possible. Stop pretending that it is.)
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To: akalinin

Their Municipal water could be bad too ...


36 posted on 04/05/2019 5:48:51 AM PDT by Coffee... Black... No Sugar (No tagline provided...)
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To: yesthatjallen

Believe it or not I think I have actually heard of this guy.
I believe he has ties to some big union muckety-mucks here in Pittsburgh.


37 posted on 04/05/2019 5:59:15 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: yesthatjallen
Headline incorrect, that’s no man....that’s a child.
38 posted on 04/05/2019 6:04:38 AM PDT by liberalh8ter (The only difference between flash mob 'urban yutes' and U.S. politicians is the hoodies.)
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To: Cletus.D.Yokel; Lurker
And, his arrest record, public documents, can reveal his current address

Pretty sure I know where Robert Dale Truax Sr & little Bobbie's mumsy live.

And little unemployed Bobbie probably lives in their basement... ;-)

39 posted on 04/05/2019 6:23:03 AM PDT by an amused spectator (Mitt Romney, Chuck Schumer's p*ssboy)
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To: an amused spectator

You might want to change that to “...hides from the public in daytime in their basement.”

You loading up on water ballons, the vehicles there might need a midnaight “flash cleaning”. Text your friends!

Oh, and, put the ballons in the freezer for the day.


40 posted on 04/05/2019 6:28:02 AM PDT by Cletus.D.Yokel (Donald J. Trump, POTUS - May Re-election Be Upon Him.)
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