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A pro-Trump ReAwaken America event has been canceled over white supremacist concerns.
The ReAwaken
America tour is a conservative conference that travels across the United
States, featuring several controversial speakers, including former National
Security Adviser Michael Flynn and Roger Stone, Newsweek reports.
The tour had
a planned stop in Rochester, New York on August 12 and 13 but was called off
following community concerns, according to Newsweek.
Newsweek
reported that an online petition urging Scott Donaldson, owner of the Main
Street Armory, to cancel the event received more than 2,000 signatures and
raised concerns about the impact it might have on the area.
"The
'Reawaken America' tour is likely to draw white supremacists and other members
of hate groups from around the northeast to our community," the petition
said.
Donaldson will not host pro Trump event
According to
Newsweek, on Monday Donaldson confirmed in a statement reported by WROC that he
was canceling the event. While stating
that everybody "has a right to their own opinions and beliefs," he
decided to cancel due to "concern from our community, both good and
bad."
"I have
always appreciated the support from our city and I believe it is my turn to
show my support back," he wrote.
ReAwaken
America tour has stopped in cities across the country and held an event on July
8 and 9 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Speaking with WROC, Clay Clark, the tour’s
organizer said it has been difficult to find venues willing to allow the event in
the past, and he has been trying to find a different venue in Rochester for the
past few months.
Monroe
County legislator Mercedes Vazquez Simmons disapproved of the event. "We
don't want it here. We don't want it in Rochester. We don't want it in the
county of Monroe. We don't want it in the state of New York," she said, Newsweek
cited a report by WROC.