SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. (AP) - Hundreds of President Donald Trump’s supporters rallied Saturday at the Jersey shore, vowing their help in “making America great again.”
More than 2,000 people turned out for the event staged on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, one of several marches held across the nation.
The event was mostly peaceful but there was a minor scuffle early on when some anti-Trump protesters tried to make their way through the crowd and were confronted by supporters of the president. However, undercover police officers immediately surrounded the anti-Trump group and walked them out of the crowd without further incident.
Seaside Heights police said there were no major issues during the rally and no arrests were made.
Borough Mayor Anthony Vaz had initially denied the request for a permit to stage the rally on the town’s boardwalk, citing concerns about potential clashes with opposing groups. He asked the Trump supporters to move the rally elsewhere.
But it was eventually approved to avoid any potential legal issues.
Many Trump backers carried homemade signs stating their support for him and his policies, while others carried American flags. Many also chanted “Trump” and “lock her up,” the latter a reference to Hillary Clinton.
“I’m here because Donald Trump is my hero and I’m trumping for him,” Barbara Messano, of Toms River, told NJ.com. “I support him because he’s not a politician. He’s honest and a businessman, and I know he will do what’s best for the country.”
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