Supporters, opponents greet Trump in Mon Valley
John Bogacik of Elizabeth stood among Donald Trump supporters Tuesday when the presidential candidate spoke at a private gathering in Monessen.
Christian Sesek of Brownsville stands at the front of a line of protesters Tuesday as Donald Trump’s motorcade arrived in Monessen.
MONESSEN – Donald Trump’s motorcade was greeted by a dozen jeering protesters Thursday when the presumptive Republican presidential nominee arrived in the struggling city of Monessen to give a private policy address at a metals recycling plant.
One woman offered an obscene gesture as the vehicles escorting Trump to the Westmoreland County city moved toward the front gate of Alumisource, where at least twice as many of his supporters cheered his arrival.
“I just feel that he’s wrong for the Mon Valley,” said Christian Sesek of Brownsville, who organized the protest group.
Meanwhile, John Bogacik of Elizabeth stood among Trump supporters carrying a sign.
“I’m tired of what is going on. This country is run by attorneys,” Bogacik said. “They know nothing about what’s going on.”
Another group of protesters wearing 1960s outfits then walked past the supporters drawing jeers from that crowd.
“You know Trump wants to legalize marijuana, right?” a Trump supporter yelled to them from the back of his group.
Meanwhile, earlier at The Pasta Shoppe in the heart of the city’s blighted downtown, a server there said none of her customers had much to say about Trump other than he was due to arrive in the city.
Monessen police and Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies kept the supporters and opponents separated by a large grassy area between Donner and Schoonmaker avenues. It was difficult for them to intermingle because the grassy area was private property and there wasn’t a sidewalk connecting the two streets.
Police said one person was taken into custody at the plant gate because he was wanted on an unrelated arrest warrant.
Police described the protest as peaceful.