Supporters gather for Trump
Supporters of President Donald Trump convened near the Yuma County Fairgrounds on Tuesday to welcome Air Force One as it arrived in Yuma.
The supporters converged next to protesters along the corner of Avenue 2 1/2 E and just east of the fairgrounds, which is located across the street from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
Some supporters arrived hours before the president’s arrival in anticipation of his landing. American flags and signs of approval were carried by supporters, some of whom sported Trump campaign clothing.
One sign read “Make America Great Again” while another read, “It’s not just black and white, it’s red, white and blue!”
As temperatures soared above 100 degrees on Tuesday, many of the supporters also wore hats and
carried umbrellas to block the sun. Some also sought refuge in their air-conditioned cars as a respite from the heat.
Roughly 30 Trump supporters were gathered outside on the corner of 32nd Street and Avenue 2 1/2 E, though Ken Darby, founder of the “Yuma Arizona Supporters for Donald Trump 2016” Facebook group, noted many more supporters were positioned further down the fairgrounds, while others watched from their vehicles.
Darby noted he was especially excited to see Air Force One, as he feels it is a symbol of safety for many in the United States as well as “foreign countries.”
“No matter who is in (Air Force One), it is a representation of the freest country in the world,” Darby said. “Millions of people want to come here. Why? Because that is a beacon of hope and truthfully, as I told a couple of other people, would I be out here if Air Force One was landing with Hillary? Yeah.”
“Would I be holding a nasty sign saying ‘Not my president? No,’” Darby added. “No, you know what, (Air Force One) is a symbol of the United States of America, and in the end, all you can do is say no matter who my president is, I want them to do great things for this country.”
Aicha Glenn, who said she is a U.S. Army spouse who immigrated here from West Africa, shared her strong feelings of approval toward President Trump, as well as strong feelings of disapproval toward former President Barack Obama.
“He (Trump) is wonderful,” she said. “I love him. He wants to work for the country and I think we should let him work quietly. Obama was the worst president in U.S. history.”
Glenn explained that she felt the economy is currently suffering because of Obama, and she hopes Trump will turn things around. She also noted she feels party affiliation should not depend on race or religion.
“People have the freedom to be Republican, Democrat, to be Green Party — race or color shouldn’t matter, or religion shouldn’t matter,” she said. “Sometimes when people find I am Republican they say ‘Are you sure you are black? You should be (a) Democrat,’ and I say ‘No, it’s not about race and religion. It’s the ideal of the party.’”
Walter Kautz said he came as an individual to support both President Trump and the military.
“I support Donald Trump — not all of his policies — but I am just here for him and the military to show support,” he said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event and I am honored to be here.”
25-year-old Danae Foster added she believes Trump “cares for his country.”
“I am a nurse in my city and I care about all people, and we know he cares about all of us in the U.S.,” she said.
Darby, who said he came to Yuma as a Marine, was delighted that Trump was to address the troops at MCAS. He added as far as immigration, he feels abiding by the laws is best. He said although the U.S. is a “nation of immigrants,” laws must be “respected.”
“If you want to get in enough congressmen and senators to change those laws feel free, but right now the laws are starting to be enforced,” he stated. “They have not been fully enforced in the last eight years. Obey the law — if the laws change I may not agree with it, but that’s the law. Obey the law, and that comes to anything.”
Throughout the gathering of protesters and supporters, there were various shouts from both crowds, with some protesters chanting for impeachment and some supporters yelling “We love Trump!”
While there were a few heated words exchanged and some gesturing, local law enforcement officials said there were no major incidents reported.
According to Yuma Fire Department spokesman Mike Erfert, firefighters responded to the fairgrounds, where both supporters and protesters had gathered, twice on Tuesday for medical emergencies, one at about 11:30 a.m. and again at around 2 p.m.
Erfert said both people were transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center for heat-related illnesses.
Sgt. Lori Franklin of the Yuma Police Department stated officers responded to the location once for a report of a disturbance at about 2:20 p.m., but it turned out to be a very minor incident.
She added there were no other calls for service related to the president’s visit anywhere else within city limits.