After Trump is shot, CT town GOP holds rally against political violence

With some waving American flags and holding Trump campaign signs, a group of as many as 80 staged an impromptu “Stop political violence” rally in Suffield on Sunday evening.A few members of Suffield’s Republican Town Committee came up with the idea Saturday night after learning of the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.“It started with a group chat and it kind of came together at the last minute,” GOP Town Chairman Michael Haines said Monday.“It was focused on the political violence. I have to tell you that rally was pulled together in less than 24 hours, and we had 80 people attend — that’s a lot for such short notice.”A “stop political violence” rally in Suffield on Sunday evening. (Courtesy of Suffield Republican Town Committee)For about an hour, the group stood along the curbside near the town library holding up signs and waving to drivers.Several people in the group held up signs about the shooting, with messages ranging from “no more political violence” and “you shouldn’t be shot at a rally in America” to “pray for the injured.”Others were typical of a campaign rally, with slogans of “Ultra Maga” and “Trump 2024: The Revenge Tour.”Haines called the shooting “a horrific day for our country,” and said Republicans wanted to spread a message denouncing violence in politics.“It certainly is a huge issue nationally. Frankly, I think that some of this is generated by social media posts of hatred that really helps to spur a lot of this,” he said. “That’s also something we’re struggling against.”In the Facebook announcement of the rally, Suffield Republicans wrote “Violence is never the answer. We hope this is an idea every citizen can get behind. In recognition of this, we ask all residents, regardless of political affiliation, to join us for The Suffield Rally Against Political Violence.”A “stop political violence” rally in Suffield on Sunday evening. (Courtesy of Suffield Republican Town Committee)Haines blamed some local social media posters for ramping up animosity locally.“We have a fairly small town, but we have a number of social medial posts that are followed by some of our friends on the DTC and we follow theirs as well. They have a lot of hatred they’re spreading … It’s harmful and incites a lot of negative things that shouldn’t be incited.”After recent political campaigns and a long-running dispute over the direction of the town library, some members of both Suffield political parties have complained about the tone of postings from the other side.Haines said the rally was also intended to send a message supporting the people who’d been shot Saturday.“It was to show strong support for President Trump, hoping he recovers from his injuries. And also those other victims at the rally, certainly the individual who was killed and those who were wounded,” he said.Haines said a few independent voters attended along with Republicans, but lamented that local Democrats didn’t participate.Democratic Town Chair Tom Frenaye said Monday that one town committee member went to observe, but didn’t participate.“I only heard about it secondhand on Facebook, nobody ever invited us,” Frenaye said.Local Democrats are meeting later this month.“I’m sure we’ll be talking about this,” he said.Haines said he isn’t sure whether there will be future rallies about political violence, but said Sunday’s gathering was well received.“The passersby were great, we had a huge response. Folks in cars were honking horns and giving thumbs-ups and waving. We were very pleased with the folks who joined, we were thrilled with the reactions,” he said.“If we can eliminate the political hatred on social media, even if it’s just one life saved it’s worth it,” he said.
Originally Published: July 15, 2024 at 5:55 p.m.

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