Trump supporters rally on the Square

MOUNT VERNON – For Jack Windsor, the rally for President Donald Trump at Mount Vernon Square on Oct. 10 was about constitutional liberty.

“My goal was to help people understand that we have an attack on our right to personal property and on some other constitutional liberties that the United States and the Constitution and the state of Ohio ensure us,” Windsor said, who spoke at the rally. 

It was the first time Windsor had ever spoken at a rally.

"I'm not sure if there's going to be more rallies, but I would love to speak at those as well," he told the Mount Vernon News.

About 250 people were in attendance, and several spoke about their reasonings for voting for Donald Trump in the upcoming election.

“We’re here to support Donald Trump, our president, and his re-election,” Mount Vernon resident John Holley said. “We’re out here, my family and I, showing our support with everyone else here. I believe probably 99.9% of the people here today are genuine supporters for our president.” 

The youth presence was large, with many high school students and young children in attendance. There were many flags flying with words such as 'Woman For Trump' and 'Keep America Great Again.'

Among those students was 15-year-old Fredericktown student Peyton Hogg. He was in attendance with his family and was there to represent Fredericktown.

“I feel like this is the right opinion to have and I want to share that and show support for Donald Trump," Hogg told the News. "Keep America great, Donald J. Trump 2020." 

“Just the camaraderie of the people who are for Trump is why I came," local citizen Paula Kyle-Stephens said. "We’re here today because we want to keep America free, and I’m here to stand up for what I believe in. I want to support all of the people that are here as well."

There was a small group of counter-protesters that took a stand at City Hall. Among them was Anna Long, 24, with a 'Black Lives Matter' sign. 

“I protested because Trump isn’t what America needs," she said. "America needs to move forward and with Trump we’re moving backwards.”

Windsor is trying to change the minds of people like Long. 

“I can’t get into the hearts and minds of other people and understand what they believe in and what they’re passionate about," he said. "All I can do is try to show them my side of things."