Residents who live along the route of today's anti-Trump march are hoping that an expected throng of protesters will not trash their neighborhoods.
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Organizers have said at least 2,000 protesters from across Florida will attend the march, which starts at 5 p.m. in front of Trump Plaza downtown and will continue 2.4 miles south to Greenwood Greenway, a small public patch of land east of Greenwood Drive near the Intracoastal Waterway.
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Some property owners in the city's El Cid and Southland Park neighborhoods have hired private security guards to keep marchers off their property.
And in response to concerns by residents, the city installed four portable toilets along the Flagler Drive route — two at Petty Park and two more at the east end of Monroe Drive.
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“I think people are concerned,” said Lila Young, who lives in a house the protesters will march past. “Hopefully it will be a peaceful march and assembly.”
Young said she saw some Flagler Drive homeowners south of Greenwood Drive removing furniture from their private waterside docks. Other homeowners are posting orange cones and chains across the end of their driveways.
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Young also said that West Palm Beach police have told residents they will enforce laws, tow vehicles that block driveways and make sure the marchers don’t either block traffic or disturb any residents.
The march is supposed to end by 9 p.m. Protesters are hoping they are seen and heard by President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to attend a charity ball at Mar-a-Lago.
South Florida Activism, one of two groups organizing the march, has posted "safety tips" for marchers on its Facebook page.
“Please consider the impact your words and behavior may have on others,” it reads. “We will not tolerate destruction of property, violence or aggression towatd innocent people.”
Another tip offered advice in case of a potential clash with counter-protesters:
“In the event we encounter opposition from Pro-Trumpkins: do not engage. Do not even look them in the eye. Ignore them and give them a wide berth. They aren’t worth our time!”
Earlier today, a small group of protesters picketed in front of The Breakers on Palm Beach.
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