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Donald Trump rally: Large crowds and high security at former president’s rally in Uniondale, New York


Donald Trump rally: Large crowds and high security at former president’s rally in Uniondale, New York

NASSAU COUNTY, Long Island (WABC) — Former President Donald Trump speaks to a packed crowd at a campaign rally at Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday night.

The large rally takes place just days after the alleged second assassination attempt on the former president in Florida at the weekend.

Ahead of the rally in Uniondale, Long Island, NewsCopter 7 showed large crowds gathering in the afternoon amid tight security.

The parking lot was subject to a security check overnight, with police removing several vendors and people who attempted to camp there.

Police officials have deleted social media posts that falsely reported that explosives were found in a car near the planned rally on Wednesday morning.

Nassau County Police Chief Patrick Ryder said police questioned and arrested a person who “may have been training an explosives detection dog” near the rally site and “falsely reported the discovery of explosives.”

Lt. Scott Skrynecki, a county police spokesman, said in follow-up messages that the person, whose identity police have not yet determined, is a civilian and not a member of a law enforcement agency.

He also said the person was not involved with or affiliated with the event, which was expected to draw thousands of Trump supporters to the arena, formerly home to the NHL’s New York Islanders.

More than 60,000 tickets have been requested for the rally. The facility has only 16,000 seats, the rest will watch the event on large outdoor screens in what is described as a tailgate party-style experience.

People were queuing long before the parking lot opened at 8 a.m.

CaFaan Kim reports live from the Trump rally in Nassau County.

The rally is Trump’s first since 2017 on Long Island, a suburb east of New York City.

Several protests were planned in a designated “Free Speech Zone” on the sidewalk along Hempstead Turnpike, just west of the main entrance.

The Hempstead Turnpike remained open, but traffic was heavy.

All persons who have business there were asked to stay away from Wednesday afternoon.

Tanya Rivero reports live from Nassau Coliseum ahead of tonight’s Trump rally.

The following items were not allowed to be brought to the rally:

Drones, aerosols, alcohol, devices, backpacks or roll-up bags, no bag larger than 12 x 14 x 5 and it must be clear, balloons, balls, poles, sticks, banners, signs, posters, chairs, coolers, e-cigarettes, firearms, glass, thermal containers, air horns, whistles and megaphones.

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