'MAGA-Meetup' Group Opens Up On Trump Support: 'We Love America'

SOUTHOLD, NY — Waving flags and dressed in patriotic colors, a group turned out for the first of a series of "NoFo MAGA-Meetups" held Wednesday at Triangle Park in Southold — where participants shared their thoughts with Patch about why they've decided to take a stand and rally for President Donald Trump before the election on November 3.

Vinny Tirelli of Mattituck, who organized a Trump parade on the North Fork last weekend, came away from that event energized and ready to keep rallying supporters: He announced Monday that he will organize a number of "NoFo MAGA Meetups" on Wednesdays beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the park, located on Route 25 just east of South Harbor Road.

"Okay, North Fork! After all the enthusiasm at this Saturday's mini-GRAS event, and Sunday's monster run to Montauk, it's been expressed that people are ready to get loud on the East End! So here it is!" Tirelli said. "Not a parade, just a rally to show support for our President. Wear your gear, bring your flags, wave them high, and let's show our support, and make noise like we always do," he said.

Southold residents Cindy and John Succose and Brian Q. Smith, Cindy's brother, wore red in solidarity Wednesday.

"We're here because we care about America. We care about our children, we care about grandchildren, we care about what's happening in this country today," Smith said. "We think if we support Mr. Trump, we can stem that tide and make America great again."

"I'm here because I'm a patriot," Cindy Succose said. "I'm an American, and I feel we need to pull together and not be divided. There's too much division. And I think our President Donald Trump is about unification, not division."

A steady stream of cars honked in support as the group cheered.

John Succose said he, too, is a patriot. "We really need to keep this country together and we really need to stop the hate and stop the divisiveness. And stop all the lies," he said. "It's not fair, what's going on in the country and we really need to have the country united again around the common goal, which is the American dream."

As they spoke, one motorist passed by and shouted, "F--- you." To which Cindy replied, "'We love you.' They need love and we have some to give."

Kevin Smith drove from Lindenhurst to support Tirelli, who he had met at previous "MAGA-Gras" events organized by Shawn Farash of West Babylon. Tirelli met Farash and decided to hold rallies out on the East End to allow those who didn't want to drive further west a chance to speak out.

On Sunday, the fourth "MAGA-Gras" Trump parade, organized by Farash, brought thousands to Montauk from Seaford.

Another woman who traveled to Southold said she met Tirelli at an earlier rally and he became a great friend.

"If there is a rally, I'm going to be there. I'm going to get loud with the groups. If it's in Nassau, I'm going to be there. If it's on the East End I'm going to be there. I'm going to get loud with anybody who's getting loud," she said. "The world needs to see us. The world needs to hear us."

Smith said there have been dozens and dozens of messages from people. "They were talking about how they were afraid to speak their mind; they couldn't put a Trump flag outside their house because they didn't know about their neighbors. Then they come to a corner to meet us like this, and they find that their neighbors are holding Trump flags. People are making friends. It's incredible."

He said he's seen few protesters in comparison.

Surveying the group, Tirelli said, "I feel great." He was pleased with the turnout that gathered with very little notice. "It's been crazy. North Fork support is out of control and people need to realize it."

Liebman said she wasn't always a staunch Republican. "I was moderate and I leaned Dem. I am pro-choice, pro-women, I support gay marriage."

She added: "And over the past couple of years, the more woke I became to the corruption on the left— they pushed me to the right. Trump didn't make me a Republican, the Democrats made me a Republican."

Paul Surozenski of Southold brought his son Lucas, 5, and their puppy Boomer. "We're here to support the President," he said. "We love America."

Barbara Meyran of Mattituck came to show support for Trump even after having a knee replacement just a week before.

Ginny McCaffery, an 20-year EMT who lives in Cutchogue came with her aunt Ann Petrauskas, born and raised in Southold, where she taught for years.

"We feel it's important at this point to really rally for Trump," Petrauskas said. Her husband is a retired Air Force member from the Viet Nam era. "We were able to travel military at times and over the Obama administration, we saw the military just ravaged. Bases closing, with no promotions for the young people. And there's a million other reasons. The economy is huge for me. I'm retired, we live here in Southold, and we have retirement funds that we have to look out for. Under Biden's economy, forget it. We'll be taxed out of New York."

McCaffery said she, too, was once a Democrat. "This is not a Democratic party. This is a socialist party. It's so scary," she said.

"I love my country," McCaffery said. "I'm very proud of what President Trump has done for our country. So much that he has accomplished, and he's not even finish with his first four years..." She said he has persevered despite the many she believes are working against him. "I'm tired of all the lies. I'm tired of hearing people say he's a racist. Donald Trump has never been a racist."

And, she said as a first responder, a member of the fire department, EMT and 911 dispatcher for Suffolk County, the flag should be given the utmost respect. "I have never seen so much disrespect towards an inanimate object," she said, holding up the flag proudly.

She said in the fire department, first responders work side by side, with no regard for political party. "And that's the way it should be," McCaffery said.

Claire Kennedy of Southold said she was glad to participate. "What a happy event!" she said. "So glad I was able to make it. Lots of familiar faces and made some new friends, too."