An Estimated 200 Rally for Trump Near Middletown ShopRite

MIDDLETOWN, NJ - As estimated 200 people turned out late Monday afternoon in support of President Donald Trump at a large rally held outside the Middletown ShopRite on Rt. 35.

They stood on the sidewalk at the corner of Rt. 35 and Harmony Road, holding signs such as "Women for Trump," "Trump Will Save America," and sometimes chanted "Build the wall!" Many cars honked as they drove past. There was a small group of people counter-protesting but no issues between the two groups were reported, organizers told Patch. The Asbury Park Press, which covered the rally, said there were about 200 people there, while organizer Barb Gonzalez agreed, saying about 200-250 people.

"I'm from Cuba, so I know all about the manipulation of the left," one unnamed woman told the Asbury Park Press in a video they made of the rally. "We are being overrun by the leftist media. They cannot stand it that they lost. Why did they lose? 8 plus years of progressive government that wanted to transform America. I know all about transformation of America. Castro did that!"

"It's time to take care of our homeless vets, not the people coming across the border illegally and get every handout known to man," said another protester, not named by the APP. "Those days are over."

Buzzfeed also covered the rally and made a live video of the entire event (more than 1 hour long):

A small group of people left the Middletown rally and protested outside Red Bank borough hall Monday night; Red Bank is mulling whether to declare itself a sanctuary city. Middletown resident Daniel Baumgarten was there protesting the move.

"It's an egregious violation of the law, to say you are going to refuse to enforce federal immigration laws, laws that are keeping us safe," Baumgarten told the Asbury Park Press.

"This is illegal! The people of New Jersey are already overtaxed and leaving in droves and now this will add to that burden," said Gonzalez of the sanctuary city designation. "Also, the left has a clever way of changing the narrative from 'criminal illegal aliens' to 'immigrants.' No one has an issue with immigrants. Many have an issue with criminal illegal aliens. To think that people that are here illegally are protesting for their 'rights' is amazing. Anyway, perhaps a good answer to this is to let those that approve of the sanctuary city to take them into their homes and cover all costs acquired and take responsibility for any crimes committed."

There will be a second pro-Trump rally this Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. in the same location in Middletown. All photos taken by rally organizer Barb Gonzalez; tweets embedded from Asbury Park Press reporter Russ Zimmer and Facebook live video embedded from Buzzfeed.