PHOENIX – President Donald Trump will hold a rally at the Phoenix Convention Center next week.
The rally has been confirmed by Donald Trump’s campaign and will take place on August 22 at 7:00 p.m.
The announcement of the rally in Phoenix came after news of a possible visit were reported last Friday. It also came, just a day after Trump blamed “both sides” for weekend violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, between white supremacists and counter-demonstrators.
Trump has been holding campaign-style events in Trump-friendly areas since he took office, and the planned rally on August 22 will be Trump’s first in the West.
Trump told Fox News in an interview this week that he may pardon Joe Arpaio, the former Phoenix-area sheriff who recently was convicted in federal court.
A federal judge ruled in 2013 that Arpaio’s officers had racially profiled Latinos. Critics say a pardon would amount to an endorsement of racism.
Security is expected to be tight for the event. Phoenix Police said:
“Because high profile events are common in Phoenix, we are well prepared to handle another Presidential visit. Our planning is all-inclusive, to ensure another safe, high-profile event. The specifics of actions taken, including personnel deployment, is not disclosed for security reasons.”
Meanwhile, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton issued the following statement.
“Our Constitution protects the right to free speech, even for those we disagree with or those who don’t represent the values we hold dear as a community. In preparation for this event, my focus and that of the Phoenix Police Department is on keeping everyone those attending the rally, those expressing their First Amendment rights outside and the general public safe”
JUST IN: @MayorStanton statement on President #Trump's Aug. 22 event at @PhoenixConvCtr pic.twitter.com/NmGiuglTGG
— FOX 10 Phoenix (@FOX10Phoenix) August 16, 2017
Tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis. People can register for tickets by clicking here.
http://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arizona-news/274138779-story