Trump Heads To Tampa Saturday, And Groups Plan To Protest

Correction: This story has been corrected to note that President Trump is not scheduled to appear at the Florida State Fairgrounds. He will attend a private fundraising event.

TAMPA, FL — Several groups have vowed to launch protests as President Donald Trump visits Tampa on Saturday as part of a series of GOP fundraisers to replenish his re-election campaign coffers.

Among those scheduled to protest during the visit are members of the newly formed The Wall of Moms Tampa, Wall of Vets Tampa and the Black Collective Movement, which sent out an invitation to join its protest, saying, "Let’s make sure this day is unforgettable AND unwelcoming."

The up-and-coming national Wall of Moms movement, formed in response to George Floyd's cries for his mother as he was held down by a Minneapolis police officer May 25, made national news Tuesday after announcing it is suing the federal government over the conduct of federal agents sent to Portland, Oregon.

In its lawsuit, The Wall of Moms claims federal agents, untrained to deal with mass protests, were sent by Trump to specifically quell demonstrations protected under the First Amendment.

Federal agents declared the gatherings "unlawful" and used tear gas, rubber bullets and other riot munitions to disperse protesters in response to a barrage of trash, bottles and fireworks from protesters, according to The Oregonian.

The Wall of Moms listed the U.S. Marshals Service, Department of Justice, Federal Protective Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and Department of Homeland Security as defendants listed in the lawsuit. It claims more than 100 agents were sent to the city "to intimidate and deter protesters because of their views and beliefs."

In declaring its intention to protest Trump's visit to Tampa, The Wall of Moms Tampa tweeted: "We are here to support the #BLM movement and take direction from local BLM leaders on how to best do that. Our goal is not to be the voice of someone else’s experience. Only to protect their right to have their voice heard."