Students Speak Out About Trump Rally

Students Speak Out About Trump Rally

Elizabeth Barden
News Editor
eab1010@plymouth.edu

&

Kelsey Davis
For The Clock
kldavis3@plymouth.edu

CLOCK PHOTO/ALEX CROSSLEY

On Sunday, Feb. 7, presidential candidate Donald Trump visited Plymouth State University. The free event brought protestors, high security, fans and various media outlets from all over New England.

The event opened with a few words from a supportive militant who encouraged the audience to support Trump due to the candidates support of veterans.

In his speech, Trump hit on points he’s made throughout his campaign ranging from immigration issues to ObamaCare to business with China.

Many of the students who went to the rally were supporters of Trump, and wanted to see the man for themselves.

“I’m a huge supporter of Trump,” said Rebecca Goldstein, junior business major. “I don’t need any convincing, he has my vote. I love him, and I think he has some great ideas.”

Edward Lazdowski, senior finance major said, “I’m leaning towards Trump because he’s a business man, and I have faith in his ability.”

Others were less decisive. Many thought that they would see him simply to say that they did.

“I’m here to see what he’s like for myself. Plus it breaks up the day a little bit,” said Nathan Theriault, a first-year English major.

Sophomore communication major, Kyle Dorfman said, ““I went for entertainment.” He went on to say, “Basically [I came] just to see Donald Trump. I don’t support him in any way, actually I’m very against him.”

Many students reported being disappointed that they didn’t get as much of a show as they wanted, others thought Trump was repetitive, and that he only said what he thought people wanted to hear.

Jamie Berry, a first-year psychology major, said that she went to see him in order to get solid opinions of her own about Trump, instead of relying on second hand information.

“Going to the rally solidified many of my ideas of Trump,” said Berry. “There was a lot of fear mongering in the speech. I feel like he said a lot of what he did in order to get an oorah from the crowd, not what he truly believed.”

She continued and said, “I did like the fact that he was so subdued, it felt like he was trying to connect with the audience. One thing I got from the rally is that I’m definitely not a supporter.”

Some of the protestors explained their position on the rally. " I wanted to be a part of the protest because I decided I wouldn't let the media or anyone think that all of PSU was okay with Trump being on campus," said Hannah Dutton, junior anthropology major.

"Plymouth is a campus that I know of as a welcoming place for new ideas and new people to be able to gather and feel safe," said Dutton. I think that I personally wanted to be there because I don't support Donald Trump's America, one that I think will be one of fear and misplaced anger."

Another ptotestor and PSU student, Shaun Connors said, "I feel like the protest was a success because it happened, I would have showed up to protest even if I was sure it was only going to be me out there."

Security for the event was tight. In order to enter the rally venue, visitors had to go through metals detectors secured by secret services.

“It was like going through an airport,” said T.J. Sheehy, junior student.

The event was subject to begin at 1pm but with a slow start and late entrance, a large number of people walked out before the rally concluded.

When explaining why he walked out, junior student Jared Sables said, “I don’t know he was kind of rambling a little bit.”

“Yeah it seemed like he was circling the same point four or five times,” said Dorfman. “He didn’t really get anywhere with it.”

Donald Trump's recent win in the New Hampshire keeps him in the running to be the next President.

The Clock will release more about the protest online this week. Please visit www.theclockonline.com for more information.