Hillary Clinton Book Signing In NJ Draws Huge Crowd Of Fans

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Although she lost the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton got almost four times as many votes as Donald Trump in Essex County, New Jersey. And if the turnout at her recent, high-profile book signing in Montclair is any indication, her supporters haven’t lost their zeal for the former U.S. Secretary of State.

On Tuesday, 1,000 people attended Clinton’s appearance at Watchung Booksellers on Fairfield Street in Montclair, with many more people expressing interest in attending the event, which quickly sold out as soon as tickets became available.

Essex County turned out overwhelmingly in favor of Clinton during the 2016 presidential election; she gathered 231,031 votes versus Trump's 62,059.

• See related article: How Did Your N.J. Town, County Vote in The 2016 Presidential Election?
• See related article: Hillary Clinton: Misogyny 'Played A Role' In Election Loss (Watch)

Clinton appeared at Watchung Booksellers to promote her recently released tome, “What Happened.” She also signed copies of her 2017 illustrated children's book edition of “It Takes A Village.”

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Montclair Facebook page here.

A few days before the signing, Montclair authorities issued an alert about road closures in the area, warning residents that only those with Clinton’s book purchased in advance from Watchung Booksellers would be permitted entry to the book store.

• See related article: Montclair Preps For Hillary Clinton Book Signing; Road Closures Announced

As expected, a large crowd gathered in the area of Watchung Plaza on Tuesday. The line for the signing stretched around the block, with many people without tickets gathering around the barricades in hopes of getting a glimpse of Clinton, Montclair Local reported.

Not all the attendees were there to welcome Clinton, however. There was also a voice of opposition in the crowd: a man wearing a prison jumpsuit and an oversized mask of Clinton’s face.

Other Clinton detractors at the event included alt-right journalist Laura Loomer.

Several Patch readers and Facebook followers took the chance to slam Clinton when news of her appearance got out to the public.

• “[Her books] are marked down, now 30% off and still nobody wants to read her BS.”
• “I'm heading up there now I want to ask her personally where her 33,000 emails went.”
• “Why not ask her to give Clinton foundation millions to Harvey flood and Puerto Rico victims. Amazing why one would follow a woman or man with no ethical values.”
• “Should have known libville Montclair would bring her in.”

Despite the naysayers, the overall reception awaiting Clinton was warm and eager, with many of her supporters chanting “We Love You” as she appeared. The first fan that got a chance to meet Clinton was 89-year-old retired journalist Betty Hall, who asked her if she would run for president again in 2020.

“She said, 'No, but I'm going to be around,'" Hall told a reporter from NJ.com.

• See related article: Hillary Clinton Is Returning To Politics, Report Says

Sydney Topf, a 14-year-old Montclair resident at the signing with her mother, told NorthJersey.com that as a woman growing up in America, it was nice to meet someone who “went through all the struggles.”

“She inspires all of us,” Topf told a reporter.

Other local residents and event attendees shared their own videos and photos of the Tuesday book signing online.

Have a photo from Clinton's book signing in Montclair that you'd like to share? Send it to eric.kiefer@patch.com along with photo credits.

Photo: US Dept. of State