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Pro-Trump rally planned in county

LISBON — A rally in support of President Trump is scheduled for noon Saturday in the town gazebo.

Sponsored by the Columbiana County Republican Party, the “Spirit of America” event is one of many reportedly planned for the same day in cities and towns across the nation to generate support for the president and his agenda and unify his supporters. It comes at a time when the anti-Trump movement is on the offensive.

“We’re trying to unify the country. We’ve had it with the division and it’s time for the people to come together for sake of the country,” said Anita Fraser, campaign organizer for the county GOP.

Fraser noted that Trump won with the support of not only many Republicans but Democrats and independents as well, and it is time for his opponents to give him a chance to govern. “All of this whining and complaining about Trump has got to stop. It’s only weakening our country,” she said.

The keynote speaker is the county’s congressional representative, U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta. Also scheduled to speak is retired U.S. Marines Corps colonel Brian Kennedy from Salem, with GOP Chairman David Johnson serving as master of ceremonies.

Trump easily carried Columbiana County, besting Hillary Clinton 68 percent to 27 percent.

Since the November election Trump opponents have mobilized, with the most prominent group to emerge of late being Indivisible, which has been packing town hall events hosted by Republican congressmen to voice their deep displeasure with the president and his policies.

Fraser said they will be prepared if anti-Trump protesters show up Saturday and try to disrupt the event, which she suspects may occur.

“I would assume so because they’ve been coming to all sorts of things. I think they’re paid, if you ask me. But we’ll be ready if they start trouble,” Fraser said.

County Democratic Party Chairman Nick Barborak is not organizing any protest. “We can’t speak for other groups, but we have no official Democratic Party event planned,” he said.

The event is not meant to be confrontational. “Our motive and goal is to unite the country. The country came together for Trump and we just want to keep that going and to get the country back on track,” Fraser said.

Following the event, participants are invited to visit the Republican Party headquarters on West Lincoln Way for fellowship and refreshments.

tgiambroni@mojonews.com

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