Supporters and Protesters Greet Pence in Holland
HOLLAND, Mich. – President Trump supporters and protesters gathered at the former location of West Michigan Bike and Fitness in Holland on Wednesday, Dec. 4 for a campaign rally lead by Vice President Mike Pence.
Vice President Mike Pence greets supporters along with U.S. Senate candidate John James (center left) and former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders in Holland, Michigan, Dec. 4 2019.
The vice president greeted supporters outside with former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and U.S. Senate candidate John James before the rally. Inside, Pence focused on economic growth, the impeachment inquiry and the need for Michigan votes to win four more years. The rally aimed to create momentum in the battleground state for both the U.S. Senate candidate and President Trump.
Supporters unable to get inside the storefront stood outside listening to the rally on a loudspeaker and chanting campaign slogans on the corner of Central Ave. and 9th St. along with protesters. The crowds were a mix of Holland residents and students from Hope College and area high schools.
One of the students in attendance was Elizabeth Melby. The Hope College senior and her freshman brother, Nathan Melby, were one of many that were not able get into the rally but stayed to meet the vice president. Melby said it was important to attend rallies and debates regardless of political party.
“I just hope people are educated,” Melby said in regards to Election day 2020.
Along with Melby braving the cold was Dominic Jakubowski.
“Coming from a blue collar, union, middle class family, I feel as if my livelihood and everything that I have along with opportunities, the values, everything is dissipating, is disappearing. And because of that, I wanted to stand in support of our president,” Jakubowski said.
Another supporter, who wish to be identified as Katie, said that morals are at risk in the next election.
“So much of what the left is doing is trying to obliterate the lines that can be drawn between something that’s right, something that’s wrong something that’s true. They’re denying facts,” the elementary school teacher said.
She said that it is important to be able to have an open discussion with those on the other side of the aisle.
On the opposite side of the street were protesters, one of them was student Tyler Swanson.
“It’s part of my democratic and civic duty, in general, to stand up for things I believes in,” he said.
Swanson said the biggest thing at risk during the 2020 election was Trump winning a second term in office and if the Democrats can prepare their candidate to unite the party and win. He agreed that open dialog is important and to share the impact of actions by the current administration.
Harvey Swanson came to protest Pence’s appearance in Holland because of the vice president’s stance on immigrant detention practices, LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights and prison reform. Swanson said that the president was encouraging discrimination against marginalized groups.
Amanda Le’Anna Brunzell, candidate for Michigan’s 3rd congressional district, was also protesting.
“I’m out here because I believe in America. I believe in my oath that I swore, the same oath that the president, the vice president and every member of congress has sworn. And the fact that nobody is above the law,” said the U.S. Navy veteran.
Le’Anna Bruzell said that national security is at risk during the next election and the alleged withholding of military aid to Ukraine for information on U.S. presidential candidates; the center of the current impeachment inquiry, is risking that security.
The protests and counter-protests dispersed quickly once the rally was over. The vice president began the day visit by landing in Kalamazoo, Michigan before visiting Valley Family Church in Portage then heading to Holland. The visit ended with a stop in Grand Rapids later that night.