Pro-Trump Rally Planned In Sarasota

SARASOTA, FL — People opposed to President Donald Trump and his policies have not been shy about taking to the streets and organizing protests to show their displeasure. Now, those who stand behind the new administration are planning their own demonstrations. Spirit of America Rallies are set to take place across the country over the next two weekends, including one in Sarasota.

The Feb. 27 and March 4 rallies are being promoted by a group called Main Street Patriots. The Sarasota rally will take place at Bayfront Park starting at noon on March 4. The rally at the park, which is located off Bayfront Drive, is one of several planned in the Sunshine State. Rallies are also scheduled in Orlando on March 4, and in St. Augustine, Inverness and Stuart on Feb. 27.

“We strongly support President Trump in his effort to put America First and we are holding small rallies to show support for President Trump’s ‘Contract with the American Voter,’” the Main Street Patriots website explains. “Other issues are not being addressed at these rallies. Blue collar voters helped propel President Trump to victory and these rallies will help provide those forgotten voices a mechanism so they can be heard.”

Main Street Patriots was co-founded by Ralph King, a presidential elector from Ohio, and is supported by Debbie Dooley, co-founder of the National Tea Party movement, according to a media release about the upcoming rallies.

“These rallies are inclusive, non-partisan, and open to anyone supporting President Trump in his efforts to bring back manufacturing jobs to America, put the security of our nation ahead of political correctness, improve our infrastructure, revitalize the inner cities and secure our nation’s borders,” Dooley was quoted in the release as saying.

Sarasota’s rally runs from noon until 3 p.m. March 4. Barbara Hemingway is the local event coordinator, according to the Main Street Patriots website. She is the former co-chair of Trump's Manatee County presidential campaign.

"Myself and other volunteers/supporters who have kept in touch since the election decided that amid all of the negative diatribe and anti-Trump protests that we wanted to express our appreciation for President Trump keeping his campaign promises and to show our continued support of his policies and his presidency," Hemingway told Patch. "We are very excited to be a part of this movement across America of voters/supporters coming together to show our overwhelming support for a brighter America and for our President."

Hemingway noted that more than 60 rallies have been scheduled across the country so far. People who are interested in organizing rallies in the Sunshine State, are asked to contact Florida’s state coordinator at Diane.spiritofamerica@gmail.com.

More information about the rallies and the movement is available on the Main Street Patriots website.

Photo via WhiteHouse.gov