Trump Parade Across Long Island Draws Thousands

MONTAUK, NY — The roadway was filled for miles Sunday with thousands of supporters who turned out for a fourth "MAGA-Gras" Trump Parade from Seaford to Montauk.

According to Shawn Farash, 29, of West Babylon, who organized three prior caravans, including a Trump parade on the North Fork, an event that drew crowds of supporters, and a parade that brought food to needy communities and headed to New York City, the fourth "MAGA-Gras Trump Parade" extended "all the way to the end of Long Island."

Participants met at the Long Island Rail Road station in Seaford at 9 a.m., where the first parking lot was filled before 9 a.m., said Vinny Tirelli, who organized a "mini-MAGA" event on the North Fork Saturday. Of the crowd Sunday, Tirelli said, "It's insane."

The procession then packed the roadways east on Sunrise Highway to Montauk.

Supporters shared their photos and sentiments on social media. "The event is bringing America back," said John Maffeo of Massapequa. "President Trump is the only politician fighting for the average person. He is not paid for or controlled by anyone, which makes him the best. I wish I could attend more Trump parades. America is turning red."

Participant Diana Ahlschlager said she loved the fact that the event was a food drive, also. "He did the same for the New York City rally," she said.

(Video courtesy Craig Richardson)

Craig Richardson also reflected on the day: "This was an historic event today on Long Island and the turn out to support our President and welfare of our country was amazing," he said.

"The 'Long Island Loud Majority' is here, and is here to stay. After New York City, we are known in other states, as well as other countries," Farash said. "Although POTUS will likely be recovered by then, we must still remember: We are the campaign. That doesn't change. It never will. One team. One goal. Four more years. TRUMP 2020."

The first "MAGA-Gras" event took place in September, with parade participants heading from Copiague to Shirley.

Not everyone applauded Sunday's event: Leon Goodman, who just completed a 137 mile walk from New York City to Montauk to protest police brutality, said he saw the Trump parade on his way back home.

"We all must get out to vote and mobilize a massive turnout," he said. Goodman said, in his opinion, "It was an all-White-people line of trucks, cars, motorcycles and volunteer ambulance and fire vehicles, heading to Montauk with Trump and American flags, as far as you can see. Are we as Black, Brown and Progressives, not American? One truck ... was emblazoned with the message: 'Trump 2020: 'F--- Your Feelings.' . . .We will need a tsunami of anti-Trump...Biden-Harris voters to get Trump out!" he said.

Others said that statement was untrue. "As someone who was an actual, active participant of this rally, who mingled amongst the thousands of people who were in attendance, I can attest to the real facts, and not one based on a view from across a highway traveling at 55 miles per hour. Yes, there were White people, but there were also Black people, Brown people, people of all races and ethnicities!" wrote Charisse Russo of Babylon Village. "The difference between those in attendance, and Leon Goodwin, is that the people who are in attendance don’t see color when looking at each other. We see fellow Americans who share a love for our country, the President, and law enforcement! We don’t categorize each other into groups, and I find it highly offensive that a mere onlooker would attach this stigma to those who were in attendance, especially those that are Black, or Brown, as it minimizes their presence and that is not something that is ever the case at any of these events. We are one people, all with a common goal, and love of country," she said.

She added that the parade and other that have been organized with "love, peace and harmony" and said there was a donation given by participants to the Lighthouse Mission; she also said local businesses benefitted from the influx of individuals who attended.

In recent weeks, other events have been held on the East End in support of Trump, including a 'TrumpStock' boat parade, a fishermen's parade in support of Trump and law enforcement, and a "Back the Blue" event meant to thank law enforcement and the military.