Bedminster Debate over Pro-Trump Rally Parking Prompts ‘Kindergarten Behavior’
BEDMINSTER – There are Republicans and there is MAGA. And they are not always the same.
That phenomenon was clearly visible last week when the Republican township committee in Donald Trump’s sometimes hometown was confronted by a group of MAGA supporters annoyed at a parking ban that could impact pro-Trump rallies.
Things briefly escalated out of control when a man was told to leave the meeting room after allegedly making an anti-Asian remark. A bit later, Committeeman Douglas Stevinson compared what he had witnessed to “kindergarten behavior.”
Here’s the background.
Dating back to the start of Trump’s presidency, demonstrators for and against him have held rallies on a plot of land at the intersection of Route 206 and Lamington Road. The rally spot is near the town library and about four miles from Trump’s golf course. While the land is not public space – it is owned by AT&T – that has not stopped the rallies.
The pattern for pro-Trump rallies is for supporters to congregate at the corner, wave flags at passing traffic and sometimes listen to pro-Trump and patriotic songs.
Library parking is reserved for patrons and there is no parking on Lamington Road. So, many of those attending these rallies park along Clucas Brook Road, which runs off of Lamington and in front of the library.
No more.
An ordinance adopted last week bans parking on Clucas Brook Road.
Mayor Lawrence Jacobs said the idea is to promote safety, reduce traffic and perhaps most important, give residents some peace and quiet.
The group of Trump supporters at the meeting saw things differently. They said the ban would adversely impact their rallies and thus, is an affront to freedom of speech.
“There seems to be an angst about people expressing their opinion publicly,” said Gregort Dooner. He said he journeys to Bedminster from Waretown in Ocean County to support “my president.”
Terry Beck of Hillsborough said pro-Trump rallies have been conducted at the spot for years and that parking on the street in question has never caused problems.
As is often the case with things like this, some comments were a bit impolite.
One critic called committee members “morons.”
Another said that if a parking ban goes into effect, the rallies will be taken elsewhere. He spoke of supporters with Trump flags on their cars driving around town and perhaps, in front of the homes of committee members.
Amid all this, Andy Chang, who lives in the neighborhood, said he supports the parking ban. He noted that cars parked along the road make access to the library – especially by children on bikes – difficult.
As Chang finished speaking, an agitated Stevinson said he heard a man in the audience tell Chang to “Go back to China.”
Committeeman Stevinson said he would not stand for a town resident being insulted in that manner. A brief shouting match between him and two audience members then ensued.
Things calmed down and the committee unanimously approved the ban.
The mayor said the committee must put the interests of Bedminster residents first. It was also pointed out that the parking ban in itself does not prevent people from either side from holding rallies.
What happens with rallies in Bedminster is relevant in light of a planned Sept. 5 fundraiser at Trump National to benefit Jan. 6 defendants.
There has been talk circulating of a rally protesting that event, but how that may happen in light of the new parking restrictions remains to be seen.
Hmmm… how’s about everyone park their trucks on the greens? He could collect parking? Sell chochkees? And who knows a public, hanbicap accessible rest room?
These are all adults who are citizens of this democratic republic and they should settle this dispute with guns.
The Second Amendment has been so radically interpreted by the stacked Supreme Court that it would probably be considered legal to shoot people over a parking spot.
The whole MAGA Republican movement is a shift toward chaotic and violent interaction, from vote suppression and wild-eyed lies to kidnapping governors and refusing to comply with laws that are disliked. It also involves imposing a deranged fantasy on other people whether they subscribe to those malignant falsehoods or not.
Just because a local government is within its authority to issue parking regulations and enforce them in the interest of public safety, cleanliness and order, that’s no reason for ardent Trump supporters to mildly obey these dictates.
After all, they think that they are on a mission from God and the rest of us are unworthy of civilized discussion, decency and respect. I suspect that these morons would think it’s downright patriotic to fight back violently when confronted with the inconvenience of being separated from their beloved leader.
I have lived in Bedminster for decades and there was not a problem with parking. The problem was with viewpoints that some don’t like and typically, rather than debate the opponents prefer censorship. This is akin to the IRS “audits” of conservative organizations, the YouTube, shadow bans, the politicized prosecutions and “swatting,” et al ad nauseum. Third World, we’ve arrived!
I believe the Trump supporters should simply go to Trump’s Bedminster Golf Club and have a designated rally spot down the driveway. Perhaps Trump can sell them Trump Water, Trump Treats and allow them to join his golf club members at dinner.
Perhaps Trump could fluff up the grass around Ivana’s grave and arrange a tour of the Bedminister Golf Course Cemetery.
For a substantial fee, of course.
I guess that the local residents have grown tired of the circus atmosphere of the last 8 years—on BOTH sides. Let’s remember the “people’s caravan” of anti-Trumpers clogging the streets and blocking traffic. At one point there was an altercation between the Pro-Trump and Anti-Trump protesters resulting in one protestor biting another.
Nationally it has become fashionable for every cause to have 1960s-style protests, disrupting traffic, thwarting public events and “getting in your face” …. While this speech IS protected, I believe the average American is turned off by such antics.
As somebody sympathetic to the Pro-Trump cause, my advice is that they channel their energy into registering voters, recruiting more voters to vote early or absentee (in their local municipality’s secure drop box). Those are effective strategies for influencing campaigns. Waving banners, profane chants, and honking horns may make you feel good, but influence fewer than you may think (and may influence many in the opposite direction).
LOL Good thing Insider NJ has President Donald J. Trump and his supporters to opine about. Surely generates a lot of traffic to this “news” site.
Comment #5. I thought that you were in “time out” for a month?
NJ Voter, true….but,,,,,ssssh!
Visiting daughter who grounded me for innocently posting inappropriate word/words on another site,
has returned to her home.
While the cat’s away, this aged mouse will play.
Enjoy Labor Day.
Policy differences, corruption, felonies, sexual assault, etc., are one thing; using a mob to try to overthrow the result of an election is entirely another.
Deciding your vote based on the former is still within democratic norms; but the latter is simply not. There is no democratic right to destroy democracy.
The Insider NJ is the source of a lot of unkind and derogatory comments and silly name – calling.
Perhaps your daughter was on to something. A month in “ time out” is not such a bad idea!
Silence is golden.
Happy Labor Day -UNITE AMERICA!
Commenter no. 10
I have read numerous comments from you about uniting America by voting for RFK, Jr..
Now that he is no longer a candidate,
You are still determined to unite America, good idea.
BUT, you really should not waste your time responding to me. You have much to do.
You also stated not to underestimate you because you are young.
BELIEVE ME… I am out underestimating you, overestimating you, or estimating you at all.
Yes, silence is golden.