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Exclusive: Interviews From The Trump Rally & Protest In Phoenix #064

Donald Trump has come to Phoenix, Arizona on his quest to campaign; something he has continued to do since winning the election in November 2016. Many attribute this to his ego as he doesn’t spend much time working in Washington. So, he keeps showing up to cities to adoring fans who faint at his mere presence swearing allegiance to his word repeating whatever pours from his mouth.  From “fake news media” to any news source who questions his presidency or even the many lies he has been caught in to standing secure on the side of Neo-Nazis and White supremacists after the tragic death of Heather Heyer in Charlottesville, VA.

However, this time around, Trump decided to take his campaign to Phoenix, Arizona: the home of convicted felon, former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who had been found guilty of criminal contempt of court. His sentencing phase begins October 5. However, his buddy, Trump has hinted in his Phoenix speech to pardon Arpaio using the office of the Presidency of the United States to do personal favors for those who have supported him. Considering the lives Arpaio had ruined as a harsh dictating cop seemingly from a bad 70’s movie, he deserves to serve time and see the insides of the prisons he had sent so many people under difficult conditions.  Phoenix was prepared for an announcement and came out by the thousands in protests, rallies, and marches all in downtown Phoenix.

As protesters stayed behind police lines and barriers, chants were heard all over as Trump supporters entered the Convention Center to cheer for their leader on the inside as he insulted his usual enemies. Depending on how the conduct of the Trump supporters acted as they walked in, the protesters responded in kind. For example, if the Trump supporters were of color, many people of color booed them. If a Trump supporter pointed, put up a middle finger, yelled, then the response from the protesters was the loudest boos and chants in unison one had ever heard. It was almost a game between the divided citizens of Phoenix.

All was well as we interviewed some really cool people. While Drea was off on 2nd and Monroe interviewing two protesters who were interrupted by a Trump supporter and then joined by a Republican disgusted by Trump, I was off in the middle of the crowds taking photos and meeting up with local politicians, activists, and citizens joined united in opposing hatred and embracing love.  The interviews collected were a mix of citizens who expressed why they were attending the protest and rallies as well as their feelings about Trump’s policies and their effect on their communities.

Check out the United Methodist Pastors, Janessa Chastain and Hannah Adair Bonner, the military men Christopher Johns and Jackie Wallace as well as Rosita Johns. And also the White and Pakistani Trump supporters…which was not a smooth interview as an agitated Black man outraged at the thought of anyone supporting Trump (understandable but most of us are on the same side, dude) became outraged at me for even allowing them to speak.  But to me, dialogue takes two people before an understanding can be acquired. What do I know?  Because in the middle of the interview, the police decided to launch tear gas and flash bang grenades into the crowd to disperse them. Nobody yet knows why this occurred as it was a very peaceful protest but ironically, Trump supporters flooded out of the buildings shortly afterwards making Drea wonder if the loud bangs were to clear the crowd for their safety? It’s a theory but apparently one that’s not limited to imagination.

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