I had a lot of fun in the 96-degree heat today while covering the presumptive Republican nominee for president Donald Trump’s visit to Gilley’s in Dallas, Texas. I chose to listen and hang outside, documenting the protestors and supporters. As a photojournalist, I try to leave my opinions and beliefs at home and document the truth that unfolds in front of my camera.
However after I left this rally, I felt sad and a little bit angry with BOTH sides. I was sad at the real hate that I saw towards fellow Americans and angry at the hypocritical gestures and shouting of words at one another that contradicted the signs they were holding. On a positive note, this is why America is so great and this is why so many people want to live in our country! Being an American means we are allowed to express ourselves in a public forum like this without any repercussions.
1. The Dallas Police Departments presence was everywhere you looked, ensuring things didn’t get out of hand during the Donald Trump Presidential Candidate rally at Gilley’s in Dallas, Texas on June 16, 2016.
Hundreds of protestors showed up for the Donald Trump rally.
A mother and daughter hold anti Trump signs during a protest outside Gilley's.
Jackie points to her shirt at anti Trump supporters on her way to the line for access to the Donald Trump Presidential Candidate rally at Gilley's in Dallas, Texas.
Protestor Chaaz Quigley participates in the protest before the Donald Trump Presidential Candidate rally.
The Dallas Police Department keeps watch over the protest from the rooftops.
Holding the American flag, protester Jett Black participates in the protest at the Donald Trump Presidential Candidate rally at Gilley's in Dallas, Texas.
Hundreds of people show up to protest the Donald Trump Presidential Candidate rally at Gilley's in Dallas, Texas. The Dallas Police Department blocked off South Lamar between Cadiz St. and the Dallas Police Headquarters.
Protestors talk with guys from dontcomply.com during the rally.
Kenna Hickock-Washburn(Left) and Morgan Larson kiss in front of a couple people who were set up at the rally preaching Christianity during the Donald Trump Rally at Gilley's in Dallas, Texas.
Protestor’s wave signs during the rally.
A couple of Trump supporters walk through the protest during the Donald Trump rally.
A couple of protestors get into a fight amongst themselves and scares a little girl during the Donald Trump rally.
A couple of Trump supporters walk through the protest during the Donald Trump rally.
Later in the rally, a Dallas Police car drives through a barrier to keep Trump’s supporters and protesters apart during the Donald Trump Presidential Candidate rally at Gilley's in Dallas, Texas.
Reivia Alexandria participates in the protest during the Donald Trump Presidential Candidate rally at Gilley's in Dallas, Texas.
A supporter hands out Trump bumper stickers during the rally.
Divided by a small police barrier, a Trump supporter yells at protestors during the Donald Trump rally.
Divided by a small police barrier, protestors yell and wave signs at Trump supporters during the Donald Trump rally.
The Dallas Police Department uses themselves as a barrier between Trump supporters and protestors during the Donald Trump Presidential Candidate rally at Gilley's in Dallas, Texas.
Protestor Chaaz Quigley argues with Trump supporters as they walked through the protest during the Donald Trump rally.
Trump supporters and protestors yell at each other across the human Dallas Police Department barrier during the Donald Trump Presidential Candidate rally at Gilley's in Dallas, Texas.
A Donald Trump piñata hangs upside down on a fence during the Donald Trump rally.
Divided by a small police barrier, protestors yell and wave signs at Trump supporters during the Donald Trump rally.
Divided by a small police barrier, a Trump supporter yells at protestors during the Donald Trump rally.
Protestor Chaaz Quigley yells obscenities at Trump supporters during the Donald Trump rally.
Later in the night, the Dallas Police Department try to break things up and get people to leave after the Donald Trump Presidential Candidate rally at Gilley's in Dallas, Texas.
The Dallas Police Department prepare to make a line and walk/push out the stragglers still protesting after the Donald Trump rally.
Rod Webber walks holding flowers as the Dallas Police Department pushes out the last remaining stragglers still protesting after the Donald Trump Presidential Candidate rally at Gilley's in Dallas, Texas.