A large contingent of horn-honking, flag-waving members of Villagers for Trump took to the streets late Monday afternoon in a show of unity with a golf cart parade touting freedom over socialism.
“Today is the 10th anniversary of Tea Party Tax Day rallies,” said Donna Hoak, Co-Chair of the group’s Action Committee. “So we’re joining with Tea Party Patriots to celebrate the 10th anniversary.”
Hoak said there were 400 rallies across the country Monday touting the theme of “Stop Socialism, Choose Freedom.”
“We’re here to rally for freedom and to let our fellow citizens know that history says that socialism is a dangerous idea,” said Hoak, of the Village of Liberty Park. “Every place that it’s been implemented, it has failed.”
Sue Cianci, who also serves as co-chair of the Action Committee, said she was thrilled to be surrounded by so many Trump supporters who love taking part in the golf cart rallies.
“They come and we help them decorate their carts and they get all excited,” the Village of Charlotte resident said. “We have the best time. And they have signs saying, ‘Choose freedom, not socialism.’”
Two of the many excited residents taking part in Monday’s parade were Woody and Sharon Ussery, of the Village of Lynnhaven. They were decked out in red, white and blue – including pants that looked like American flags.
“He’s going to save our country,” Woody said of Trump, adding that he’s a huge fan of the president. “It would have been in the dump if it hadn’t been for him. Now I wish they’d just let him do his job.”
“He’s going to drain the swamp,” Sharon said, adding “Victory in 2020!”
Meanwhile, during the parade, clumps of Trump supporters were gathered throughout Lake Sumter Landing, many waving signs and flags as the golf carts roared past them. One man wearing a “Biden 2020” T-shirt found himself being booed as he walked through the pro-Trump crowd carrying a sign that read, “Trump Needs Exorcism Now.” And a short time later he found himself being asked to move along by a Sumter County sheriff’s deputy after he positioned himself in the middle of Canal Street near the intersection of Old Mill Run.
Of course, that didn’t stop the plethora of golf cart drivers from circling Market Square and then heading to Spanish Springs Town Square to show their support for Trump and his re-election campaign.
Monday’s rally also proved to be special, thanks to some visitors who were participating in their first golf cart parade. An international film crew was covering the event, as it’s scheduled to be included in a European television series on U.S. retirement communities. And the Trump Unity Bridge arrived for a visit shortly after the golf cart parade started.
That iconic structure, which is 50 feet long and weighs 5,000 pounds, took three months to erect. Owner Robert Cortis toured the 48 contiguous states with the bridge in 2016 and gave out more than 100,000 bumper stickers. And this year alone, he has made 140 stops across the country.
Villagers for Trump Founder David Gee, who drove in the parade with his wife, Lynette, said he was thrilled to see so many enthusiastic participants at Monday’s gathering.
“We want to let people know where we stand,” he said. “We absolutely believe that we should not be a socialist nation.”
Villagers for Trump, which was formed by Founder David Gee a little over a year ago and already boasts more than 1,000 members, has held several successful golf cart rallies. Those include:
- Members made their thoughts known on immigration in January when they took their “Build the Wall” message to the streets of Lake Sumter Landing and Spanish Springs.
- This past October, the “Red Wave” roared to life as Villagers for Trump members touted the slate of GOP candidates running for office with a rally that featured 383 golf carts and about 800 people.
- A “Red Wave” parade also was held in August to show support for President Trump and then-GOP candidates Congressman Ron DeSantis (governor), Ashley Moody (attorney general) and Rick Scott (U.S. Senate).
- Sixty golf carts and 120 participants took to the streets of Florida’s Friendliest Hometown this past March in a parade that included plenty of flag waving and horn honking.
Villager Joanna Fox shows off a satirical book she received about reasons to vote for Democrats.
