Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Dems protest Trump’s latest stop in Delco Republican presidential candidate speaks at Sun Center Studios
CHESTER TOWNSHIP >> “Some people call him Mr. Trump, I would like to refer to him since he likes throwing out names as Mr. Bigot, Mr. Hater of Persons With Disabilities, Mr. Despiser of Women.”
Strong words from Chester Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland from the other side of the fence at Sun Center Studios Thursday when Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was set to speak.
“This is the man or the individual that wants to be commander in chief of our great United States,” Kirkland said. “Understanding that I say ‘United’ States.”
Kirkland joined others in protest of the arrival of Trump, a small gathering of Hillary Clinton supporters, surrogates, local politicians and Democratic candidates, aimed to send a strong message to Trump in his second Delaware County appearance in as many weeks.
“To Mr. Trump we say, no to divisiveness, no to hatred, no to you,” Kirkland said. “Some may say we’re small in number, we’re not having a rally, we’re standing shoulder to shoulder in protest to
the coming of this person to this area.”
Marty Molloy, the Democratic candidate to the 9th District state Senate seat, the challenger to Tom Killion, R-9 of Middletown, spoke out fervently of the words that have come from Trump’s mouth: “That is not what we teach our children.”
“How do we teach our children to respect people different from us, to love and accept all kinds of people?” asked Molloy. “The GOP wants to ban an entire religion from this county.”
The exclusivity of the Sun Center Studios made it difficult for those in difference to Donald Trump to find a venue to make their voices heard. Months ago when Donald Trump held a rally in downtown West Chester, pro-Trump and the antiTrump (re: Bernie Sanders supporters) stood opposite each other and challenged their opponents with signage and chant.
Thursday, only those with tickets gained the entry necessary to the complex where the Republican nominee received a champion-worthy entrance to the likes of the legendary college basketball coach, Bobby Knight.
“Nobody can help us as a nation take care of problems the way Donald Trump
can,” Knight said, who referenced his own successes as the winningest coach of all time at the time of his retirement, as being a result of surrounding himself with “great players” and the “best minds.”
He suggests that in the presidency, Donald Trump would do the same.
Trump, too, focused his speech Thursday on separating himself from policies while establishing himself as the political outsider with the business chops necessary to bring change.
“What else do you have to lose?” Trump asked, remarking on the crime stats in urban areas.
“I say to the African American community, I say to the Hispanic community, these are communities in the inner cities that have tremendous levels of poverty, bad education and no jobs, and the cities are so dangerous, you go to the store and you or your child gets shot,” Trump said. “I say to you, what do you have to lose?”
Yet, those remakes have come too little, too late for many who were grossly affected by Trump’s remarks early in his campaign when he was merely one of a group of 17 Republican primary contenders.
“Donald Trump has showed his divisiveness by way of his comments, by trying to be an intimidator, and by alienating other persons of religious backgrounds,” Kirkland said. “Today we stand in contrast of a hate-filled person coming into Delaware County.”
Hillary Clinton earlier last week made a stop at Temple University, but has yet to visit Delaware County, a key battleground area in the state. If Trump’s two recent visits are an indication of the importance of southeastern Pennsylvania, then let the local candidates put that debate to rest.
“Southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware County, matters,” Molloy said. “As Delaware County goes, I think it’s a bellwether for the entire election.”