Dozens of cars and trucks sporting the red, white and blue – both American flags, and “Keep America Great” banners – streamed through New Ipswich on Friday night, to show support for President Donald Trump and the police.
Organizer Regan Benoit of Rindge said the timing of the parade, coinciding with the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City, was intentional.
“I saw a video, which mentioned that there is no better day than 9/11 to realize we’re a country united,” Benoit said. “I thought there’s no better way to show it.”
The parade doubled as both a “Trump Train” and a “Back the Blue” event to show support for police, in response to the opposing “defund the police” rallies which are happening nationally, Benoit said.
“And for America overall,” Benoit said.
“Keeping America great, right?” said Sierra Sauvola of New Ipswich, when asked why she turned out for the parade. “I support Trump and the police department.”
Dozens of residents turned out to fly their Trump and “Thin Blue Line” flags.
“We have to support Trump to the utmost,” said Townsend, Massachusetts resident Dave Niemela, who said this November’s election is “the most important in our country’s history.”
Niemela said he was behind “everything Trump stands for,” which he said included supporting the police department, securing borders, and bolstering the economy in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic.
“At this point, keeping things closed, wearing masks, it has nothing to do with health. It’s over and done,” Niemela said. “It’s about destroying the economy and hurting Trump.”
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.