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Racine: Protesters Descend on Monument Square, Rally Held in Festival Park

Racine: Protesters Descend on Monument Square, Rally Held in Festival Park

June 19, 2024 12:23 PM CDT

By: Stuart J. Wattles

RACINE, Wis. (WRJN) — More than a thousand people filled Racine’s Festival Park for Former President Donald Trump’s rally in Racine yesterday.  

Protesters numbering around 50 gathered in downtown Racine’s Monument Square, with signs lining Main Street. The protest was organized by Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant rights group.

Further north, a rally drew a crowd of around 1,500 to Festival Park. Racine police kept traffic moving as a line stretched down Lake Avenue toward the Racine Art Museum.  Once vetted by Secret Service and once inside, attendees were purchasing concessions like hot dogs, BBQ and food truck offerings.

The event was held at Festival Park, which the new operators 5K Events say was underutilized previously. They have plans to revive the facility through historic events like Salmonarama and Harborfest

Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Rep. Bryan Steil, Rep. Derrick Van Orden, Vivek Ramaswami, and other local officials spoke.  Former Gov. Tommy Thompson delivered a “spirited” speech, saying he and Walker would tour the state together to support Trump.

Other speakers included retired teacher and farmer Sue Kaminski and Racine business owner Dimple Navratil who accused Racine Mayor Cory Mason of targeting her husband’s business. 

Trump spoke in the 90 degree heat for about 90 minutes, getting to the stage at around 3:30pm.  To start his remarks, he declared “I love Milwaukee,” and claimed he chose the city for the 2024 RNC despite allegedly calling it “horrible” last week over crime and election issues.

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