Trump protest numbers continue to grow; supporters plan to join too

From Pensacola to the Keys, more than 5,000 people posted on the page that they are interested.

Public Safety Director Kirk Blouin said he’s working with local law enforcement agencies and protest organizers to create a safe event, but there have been many challenges related to the route and staging.

“They’re all not going to fit,” Blouin said of protesters staging on the causeway. “They’re looking to protest on an island that’s primarily residential,” That poses problems. It’s difficult to hold a large protest here in Palm Beach because there are not a lot of public areas.”

Blouin said he met with officials from the West Palm Beach Police Department and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, and plans to meet with protest organizers Thursday to discuss the plan.

“It’s still developing,” he said Wednesday. “Things like this are very fluid. There’s a plan in place now, but it will change … right up until the event.”

Blouin said “normally” protest organizers approach the town in advance with a detailed plan and obtain a permit for the demonstration. Blouin said he is not requiring the group to have a permit for this protest.

“It’s a bit disorganized in that fashion,” Blouin said. “So we’re trying to devise a plan with them. They understand there are problems. We’re trying to come up with a plan where we can keep both the citizens and the protesters safe.”

Protest organizer Alex Newell Taylor, a Palm Beach Day Academy alumna, posted on the group’s Facebook page Wednesday asking participants to be patient.

“Your organizers are working hard under changing and adapting circumstances,” she wrote. “Large crowds are good but they change logistics. We will have updates soon. Please be patient and we promise to pass along info as we get it.”

Taylor posted on the event Facebook page Tuesday night that the group is looking for volunteer marshals to help with “crowd control and safety.” She said organizers also are looking for attorneys to serve as legal monitors.

Blouin said overflow protesters will have to stage in West Palm Beach, possibly on the sidewalk along Flagler Drive. He said protesters can stage on the sidewalk, but have to move for people who want to get by.

“They have a right to be on the sidewalk, they just can’t block the sidewalk,” he said.

Blouin said officers will be vigilant Saturday to make sure protesters are not in the street. Southern Boulevard is one of the main arteries to enter and exit the island and it’s vital to keep it clear for emergency vehicles, Blouin said.

“There will be a strong uniform presence,” he said. “We will have assistance as needed from mutual-aid partners.”

Protest organizers have been “very cooperative” and want a “peaceful” demonstration, Blouin said. But, he said he is aware of a “handful of individuals” who might look to stir up trouble.

“We realize there are other people that are going to participate that do not share those same values,” Blouin said of the possible trouble-makers. “We always have to plan for the worst-case scenario.”

Blouin said he’s also heard about a pro-Trump group planning to attend in support of the president. He said he’s not sure how large that group will be. Individual Trump supporters also have posted on social media channels that they plan to join the demonstration.

“Honestly hope it’s huge peaceful and sends a message that even though our state voted for him he has opposition here,” Michele Colborn, an activist with South Florida Against the Insanity Action Group, posted on Facebook.

The group also is expected to include Trump supporters.

“As a proud supporter of President Trump, I look forward to joining the peaceful march showing my support for the President. And of course for humanity since he is hosting as he does every year an event for the Red Cross where millions of dollars will be raised for the organization,” Bob Thomas wrote on Facebook.