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Thousands rally for Trump

Former president makes campaign stop in Johnstown

By Matt Churella 4 min read

JOHNSTOWN -- Thousands of people filled the 1st Summit Arena, where former President Donald Trump held a rally Friday and declared Nov. 5 as "the single most important day in the history of our country."

During his nearly two-hour speech, Trump covered several issues he plans to address if he's elected president in November, including the border, inflation, same-day ballots and gender issues. He also criticized members of the media and Vice President Kamala Harris, his political opponent, who he said is "unfit to serve" as president.

"I look forward to the debate with her," Trump said.

Early on in the rally, Trump said he believes people should serve a yearlong sentence for burning the American flag, which received a roar of applause from the crowd.

While Trump criticized media outlets for what he claimed as unfavorable coverage of his campaign, a man from the crowd rushed to the media area and began to climb the back side of a riser where reporters were standing. He was removed by police.

Police later handcuffed another man and escorted him out of the arena, according to witnesses. Trump reacted to the ruckus by asking rhetorically, "Is there anywhere that's more fun to be than a Trump rally?"

Prior to Trump taking the stage at about 4:30 p.m., several local and national leaders encouraged the crowd to "fight, fight, fight" to elect Trump, including JWF Industries CEO Bill Polacek, Dave McCormick, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, and U.S. Rep. John Joyce, R-Altoona.

Tyrone Borough councilman Ken Patterson said he was excited to see a line -- nearly two miles long -- of Trump supporters standing outside of the arena prior to the rally, which he said was "encouraging."

"The people were positive," Patterson said.

Hundreds of people traveled from out of state to be in attendance, including Edward X. Young of Brick Township, New Jersey, who drove nearly seven hours after leaving work Thursday night to attend his 86th Trump rally.

"There's nothing like this in American history," Young said of Trump's rallies. "Nobody can do what this man has done. He is one of the most amazing people that ever walked on the face of this Earth."

Young said he believes Trump was "sent by God to save America." If elected, he hopes Trump will "drain the swamp." Young said he agrees with Trump's position on the border and election reform.

Georgia Mundy of Baltimore said she drove more than three hours to see the former president for the second time, adding she attended a Trump rally in Harrisburg about a month ago.

"Seeing him in person is such a surreal feeling," she said. "I love him, and I hope that he'll be our next president. He really cares about the country."

Judy and Mark Boyer drove about two hours from Clarion County to support Trump.

Mark Boyer said he wants Trump to address inflation in the economy, adding they live on a fixed income.

"One more term like this and inflation stays the same, I don't know what's going to happen," Boyer said. "I don't know how we're going to afford it."

Karen Weaver of Woodbury Borough, Bedford County, previously attended a Trump rally in Martinsburg and said she supports Trump's efforts to secure the country's borders.

"Just about everything he stands for, I'm in favor of," Weaver said.

Martinsburg resident Dave Kirsch said he wanted to attend Trump's rally in Martinsburg but missed the event, so he and his friend traveled to Johnstown for his first Trump rally.

Kirsch said he also supports "everything that (Trump) stands for."

"He loves the country and he loves the military," Kirsch said. "I just think he would be the best person right now for this country."

The Mirror also spoke with people from Hooversville in Somerset County, DuBois, Westmont and several Johnstown residents, some of whom said they were in attendance

July 13 at Trump's Butler rally, where an assassination attempt on the former president occurred. All of the residents the Mirror spoke with said they were not concerned about security at the Johnstown rally.

In his closing remarks, Trump -- encouraging his supporters to vote -- said, "We want a landslide that is too big to rig."

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.

Starting at /week.