Ridgewood rally draws crowd showing support for President Trump

RIDGEWOOD — Voters rallied for President Donald Trump on Saturday, encouraging drivers to "Honk for Trump" near Village Hall before marching to Van Neste Park.

It was the ninth "All Lives Matter" rally in support of Trump organized by North Haledon resident Joey DiPasquale, and he says the message has remained the same.

"Pro-military, pro-police, pro-Trump," DiPasquale said as he coached attendees on curbside sign-waving technique. "We've been doing these every other weekend for three months."

DiPasquale estimates he has picked up 12,000 followers with his rallies, and averages 250 to 300 attendees per event. Supporters were still arriving at noon as about 120 flag-waving marchers in red-white-and-blue garb began the trek to the village center on Ridgewood Avenue.

Marchers John Rotella and Better Schuler of Haledon said they had been to all of DiPasquale's rallies.

"It's pretty much the same every rally," Rotella said. "We just want to show our support. Everybody is friendly; no problems."

Story continues below the gallery.

Andrea Draznin of Wayne said she had come to "raise awareness."

"We want to get out the vote," Draznin said. "Lower taxes — let people know the president is doing a great job."

Robert Szalai stood at the corner of North Maple and Linwood avenues in his flag-striped pants waving a "Honk for Trump" sign.

"We're having fun," Szalai said. "We love President Trump and want to show our support."

Anthony Litwinowicz sported a Donald Trump mask as he waved his flag at curbside.

"I grew up in a communist country, and I'm afraid this country will turn communist unless we reelect Donald Trump," Litwinowicz said. "I support Trump 100%."

While many marchers were general in their praise, absentee ballots were a concern for Vicki Scholz of Rochelle Park, Virginia Squeo of Lodi and Loretta Maloney of Pompton Plains.

"We're concerned about voter fraud," Scholz said.

PREMPEH, PASCRELL: Qu0026A with Pascrell and Prempeh, both competing for control of NJ's 9th District

WAYNE RALLY: Pro-Trump ralliers call on 'silent majority' to support police, military, president

CHRISTIE UNMASKED: Chris Christie says he was 'wrong' to not wear a mask and COVID should be taken 'very seriously'

Squeo argued, "If it's OK for a teacher to be in a classroom close to 16 students, why can't people vote in person?"

Billy Prempeh stopped by to rally the marchers. The Paterson resident is running on the Republican ticket for Congress in the 9th District.

"What we all need to understand is that if we don't have law and order, we don't have an America to begin with," Prempeh said. "What gave the people their freedoms is the law and order we have in the United States. Once we lose our police, our protections, we lose America as a whole."

Marsha Stoltz is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: stoltz@northjersey.com

Twitter: @marsha_stoltz

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Ridgewood NJ rally shows support for President Donald Trump