Dozens Protest Donald Trump Appearance at Boch Home

As roughly 1,000 guests spent their Friday evening at the home of Ernie Boch Jr. to hear leading GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump speak, over 35 protesters gathered outside the house of the prominent car dealership owner to rally against Trump, who has been highly criticized for comments made against women and immigrants.

Chanting “my body my choice,” “dump Trump,” and “Donald you’re fired,” the group, who were part of an organized protest by NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, stood outside of the entrance of Boch’s residence as guests entered the event, a $100-a-head event dubbed “Ernie’s Summer Bash.”

“We’re here because Donald Trump is far out of step with mainstream values. His position on women’s health care extreme and out of step with mainstream values,” NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts Political Director Christian Miron said.

Boch, the man who brought Trump to Norwood, appeared to be out of focus, with protestors not mentioning the host’s name. When asked about his role in holding the event, Miron said, “We’re focused on holding Donald Trump accountable for his extreme positions on women’s reproductive rights.”

Other protestors included those critical of comments made by Trump on illegal immigration. Trump has made building a wall between the United States and Mexico one of his main talking points and stated during the campaign that he believes Mexico is sending people with problems to America.

Not everyone outside was against the popular businessman and reality TV star turn presidential candidate. On the sidewalk outside of the Sumner Street home was Johnston, R.I. small businessman Frank Ricci, passing out pro-Trump signs to guests and a small group setting up a counter-protest. Ricci, who made and distributed the signs independent of the Trump campaign, said he felt that Trump’s business attitude could help the country in trade.

“He speaks his mind and he’s truthful. He has nothing to lose and he’s doing this to support our country,” he said, echoing the same reason many have backed Trump.

As for what Trump said inside the event, the candidate hit on a number of topics including Tom Brady’s suspension, illegal immigration, and criticized Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton according to WHDH and the Boston Globe.

Whether or not the event was a fundraiser has now come into question. A sign instructing guests to make checks payable to Donald Trump for President was at the home’s gate, but the sign was later taken down according to CNN.

Trump campaign spokesperson Hope Hicks said the campaign paid for the event, but Boch said he was footing the bill.

Later, Hicks told CNN that the campaign was reimbursing Boch. Also following up in an email, she stated that the campaign was covering the event and “any small contributions will go directly to covering the cost of the event.”

When asked about the protestors outside by a CNN reporter, Trump criticized the media for hyping “a few protestors.”

Trump Photo Credit: WHDH, 7-News