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Tampa Trump Rally Demonstrations

Quincy Walters
/
WUSF
Peter Chianciano, a Donald Trump supporter, dressed in military fatigues and stood in front of the Tampa Convention Center. He shook the hands of people walking inside.

On Saturday, Donald Trump held a rally at the Tampa Convention Center. There were a few demonstrators outside -- both for against and for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. 

An old white school bus, with "Dump Trump Flush Hillary"  written on the side, drove in front of the Convention Center. 

The five people  onboard are from Tampa and identify as anarchists. 

Nick Windholz, a long-haired man, leaned out the side door with a bullhorn. 

"Welcome to the land of racists," he said through the bullhorn. "Go home, bigots."

Kriz Partridge, who drove the bus, said that none of the presidential candidates appeal to him. 

"That's why I'm voting for Vermin Supreme," he said. Vermin Supreme, who wears a boot on his head, is known for satirical political campaigns. 

Windholz leans toward the Libertarian's presidential nominee, or another option. 

"Gary Johnson 2016," he yelled again through the bullhorn. "Or just vote for nobody." 

As Trump's rally in the Convention Center neared, news choppers flew overhead. Below, one of the Republican candidate's supports stood on the sidewalk, dressed in military fatigues. 

Peter Chianchiano held an American flag and a sign that read "Trump our flag is being burned." 

The former Vietnam combat medic said he agrees with Trump's stance on immigration. 

"If people want to come to this country, they have to do it with respect and integrity and they have to learn the laws," he said. "And they have to raise their children to be a productive citizen." 

Though, he supports Trump, Chianchiano chose not to go inside to hear the candidate speak. Instead, he opted to stand on the sidewalk and shook the hands of people heading inside. 

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified a sign being held at the rally. 

Quincy J. Walters is a junior at USF, majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing. His interest in journalism spurred from the desire to convey compelling narratives. He has written for USF’s student paper, The Oracle and is currently the videographer for Creative Pinellas. If he’s not listening to NPR, he’s probably listening to Randy Newman.
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