Trump supporters rally in Indy against 'seditious fringe'

Waving American flags and leading chants with bullhorns, about 35 supporters of President Donald Trump rallied at the Indiana Statehouse on Saturday to counter what they claimed are unfair attacks on his young presidency.

"They aren't giving him a chance," local organizer Patty Collins, 61, of Indianapolis, said of Trump's critics. "We are here to show support for the president of the United States."

The gathering was one of about 50 in cities across the country, dubbed the "March 4 Trump Spirit of America Rally." The group's website states that "an insidious propaganda apparatus" is trying to undermine Trump. "A seditious fringe has resolved to sabotage this restored purpose," the website states.

James Arbogast, 34, attended the rally with his wife, Morgan, 29, who wore a "Hillary for Prison" T-shirt.

"It is not business as usual in Washington and they can't stand it," James Arbogast said. "Their heads are spinning."

Morgan Arbogast added that "he is not a normal politician and they don't know what to do with him."

Regular protests of Trump have been held in Indianapolis and nationwide since Election Day. The largest was Jan. 21 when an estimated 5,000 people gathered for women's rights at the Statehouse to protest policies they believe Trump will enact that will hurt them. The rally was held in conjunction with hundreds of marches worldwide, including an event in Washington, D.C., that drew an estimated 500,000 people to the National  Mall.

Some passing motorists honked in support of the rally and others yelled insults. One of the rallygoers' signs read, "The silent majority stands with Trump."

Greg Witter, 57, who wore a Harley-Davidson leather jacket, said part of the purpose of the rally was educational.

"We are here to get people to wake up," said Witter. "(The Washington establishment) is selling us a bill of goods."

He said those critical of Trump's crackdown on undocumented immigrants and other policies are overreacting.

"We are a country of law and order," Arbogast said. "Trump is doing nothing more than what the Constitution allows him. But there are people out there who don't like that, who don't love this country."

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Call IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at (317) 444-6418. Follow him on Twitter: @john_tuohy and on Facebook.