ASHEVILLE - As local, state and federal law enforcement prepare for former President Donald Trump’s visit to Asheville Aug. 14, city Police Chief Mike Lamb said things will be different this time compared to when Trump visited this same venue in 2016.
Asheville Police Department has undergone “extensive preparation and planning” in collaboration with local, state and federal agencies ahead of Trump’s rally at Tomas Wolfe Auditorium inside Harrah’s Cherokee Center, according to a news release Aug. 12.
“To enhance security, our officers will maintain a strong and visible presence in the HCC area, patrolling by vehicle, on foot, and on bicycles. These measures are designed to safeguard all participants and visitors,” the release said.
The last time Trump came to Asheville for a major political rally while on the campaign trail against Hillary Clinton, rally attendees exited the event to a crowd of jeering protesters. An elderly woman claimed she was punched in the jaw and knocked to the ground during the aftermath, which brought a later-dismissed criminal charge against a South Carolina man. It was one of several criminal charges stemming from that day against rally goers and protesters.
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“This event will be different from 2016. We learned several lessons from the events that unfolded at the 2016 event,” Lamb told the Citizen Times Aug. 12.
Specifically, Lamb said there will be “many more officers on site” and there will be separate areas for attendees and demonstrators. The public can expect an “enhanced police presence” at Harrah’s Cherokee Center — on Haywood Street in downtown Asheville — and the surrounding area through late in the evening Aug. 14. The rally begins at 4 p.m. but doors open at 1 p.m. On top of car, foot and vehicle patrols, APD’s drones will also be deployed, Lamb said.
“We will have designated areas that the public will be excluded from,” Lamb told the Citizen Times.
“More information will be released shortly regarding road closures and service impacts,” APD spokesperson Samantha Booth added.
While APD handles all event-related downtown activity, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office will be assisting with Trump’s arrival and departure, according to spokesperson Christina Esmay. But the sheriff’s office help with the event will not affect their response to “other daily law enforcement responsibilities,” Esmay said.
U.S. Secret Service will be the lead agency overseeing security measures, and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation “may have some involvement,” according to spokesperson Angie Grube.
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For those who may be planning to protest, APD sent a reminder that there are exceptions to North Carolina’s open carry law prohibiting the possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons at parades or demonstrations on public property. The news release expressed a dedication to protecting First Amendment rights to assemble peacefully while ensuring public safety.
“We encourage our community to treat each other with respect,” the release said. “Adhering to all applicable laws and regulations will help ensure that everyone can safely exercise their right to free speech.”
Lamb also advised that attendees and potential protesters be “aware of your surroundings and if you see a crime in progress or a violent event unfolding then please let an officer know or call 911.”
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According to city code, protests in Asheville are allowed as long as they are peaceful and take place on sidewalks without a permit as long as protestors are not blocking streets or other rights of way. Otherwise, permits from the city are required. Here is the full code on picketing:
Peaceful picketing shall be allowed in the city provided the same is done in accordance with the following regulations:
a.Picketing shall be conducted only on sidewalks or other city-owned areas normally used or reserved for pedestrian movement, including casem*nts and rights-of-way, and shall not be conducted on a portion of any street used primarily for vehicular traffic.
b.Picketers shall observe the right of non-picketers to utilize the public rights-of-way for passage on foot and shall at all times keep the public rights-of-way free and clear for utilization by other pedestrian movement
c.Picketers shall walk in single file and not abreast.
d.Picketers are encouraged to provide notice to the chief of police of intent to picket.
(b)Interruption of passage.
(1)Whenever the free passage of any street or other public area in the city shall be obstructed by picketers, persons picketing shall disperse or move along when directed to do so by a police officer of the city.
(2)Whenever the free passage of any street or other public area in the city shall be obstructed by a crowd, the persons composing such crowd shall disperse or move along when directed to do so by a police officer of the city.
(3)Nothing in this section shall prohibit any person from reconvening after dispersing so long as free passage of any street or other public area is not obstructed.
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Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober
