1:45PM Update from near Target Center...
As of now, there are only a scattering of anti-Trump protestors along N 6th St in front of Target Center. The ones that are there are the normal grandma/grandpa gray haired radicals, a bunch of 20-something slackers, your normal bunch of downtown nutcases, some media types wandering around trying to get footage for the 5PM newscasts.
There so far has been some good-natured joshing between pro and anti-Trump supporters. Some capitalistic Trump supporters are wandering around selling hats, buttons and t-shirts.
I did see one or two possible Antifa guys riding their bikes around. Both had their faces covered. Folks, it’s not that cold here. Not sure if they’re scouting out things or not.
The oddest thing I saw was two homeless people with cardboard signs arguing over whether one of the corners near Target Center was their zone or not.
All of the people attending the rally are waiting in the various skyways that lead to Target Center. They are fairly segregated from the crowds on the street. Good thing - because it started raining again.
The police look fairly non-interested. I saw no one on the roofs watching the crowds.
I’m not sure I’m gonna be around at 5:00PM to give an update or not. I take a bus back to my suburb. Downtown traffic is already looking messy because of the road closures.
I got here at 9 or 9:30 AM. There are 2 lines. I’m at about #2,000 in my line.
Doors open at 4pm.
I’m in the line outside of parking ramp C, East of the Ford building and Target field.
One group of 3-6 protestors; young 20s girls with tight jeans and lame signs.
There’s a Jumbotron on a truck showing campaign stuff in a 2 or 3 hour loop. The Jumbotron said, if confront ing a protestor, hold up a sign and chant,”Trump, Trump, Trump” at them until police arrive.
There were two groups of pro-Trump people holding up flag-sized Trump 2020 flags to block the professor’s signs.
Thank you for your report.