ATHOL — The political anger and vitriol so prevalent on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms was on full display in Athol Saturday as supporters of President Donald Trump attempted to disrupt a Democratic Party rally at Fish Park.
The day began without conflict as supporters of the president, for the ninth consecutive week, gathered on the Upper Common to hold signs, wave flags and shout pro-Trump slogans to passing motorists. They were expected to be joined by more Trump supporters for a rally at 1 p.m., prompting town Democratic Party Committee Chair Mitch Grosky to speculate the move was designed to cause conflict with a rally he had been planning for the common since mid-September.
Roberta Newman of Royalston, who has organized the weekly rallies, denied the change in time was designed to blunt the Democrats’ visibility.
“That is so wrong,” she said. “We’ve been here for nine weeks. Where have they been? This was not to disrupt anything.”
Many of those who lined both sides of Main Street in uptown Athol, however, apparently didn’t get the memo.
Much of the Democratic rally was uneventful as a number of incumbent office holders running for reelection exhorted the crowd of nearly 100 to make sure they get to the polls, if they hadn’t voted already, and to volunteer to boost Democratic turnout approaching election day. While promoting their own campaigns, they also attempted to pump up enthusiasm for state representative candidate Will LaRose.
When it was his turn to speak, LaRose, rather than focusing on details of policy, urged the crowd to recall the legacy of Democrats past.
“Today, let us remember what always has and always will define the Democratic party — hope,” he declared. “From Ella Baker to John F. Kennedy to President Barack Obama, this party has been a continuous and unwavering beacon of light, not only to the marginalized and downtrodden in our own country, but to millions around the world.
“Let’s reclaim America for the common people. Let’s reclaim the rights of working people in this country, and let’s reclaim our democracy for all on Nov. 3. From Vice President Joe Biden all the way down to our local state candidates, I ask those in attendance today to vote blue up and down the ticket. I firmly believe that in 10 days we will see this country make the right choice, the moral choice, the American choice.”
Several more speakers managed to make it to the podium before the Trump contingent arrived. A handful initially showed up, while waving Trump flags or carrying Trump signs, and remaining silent. Soon, the name-calling and honking of horns began.
“They’re out to destroy America,” came a shout from a man nearby.
Others who were approached for comment turned and walked away.
Some of the Republicans, none wearing masks or concerned with social distancing, began to mingle with the Democrats, who had required the wearing of masks and had marked the park in an attempt to keep attendees at a safe distance.
Grotzky momentarily brought the opposing sides together by singing “God Bless America,” as everyone in Fish Park — Democrat and Republican alike — joined him. Once the song was finished, however, the shouts from the Trump crowd resumed, aided now by a couple of megaphones.
By this time, several Athol and State Police officers had arrived on the scene to keep the two sides apart and prevent any likelihood of violence.
Soon, residents of the neighborhood came out of their homes to watch.
Meanwhile, the taunts of the Republicans seemed to have the opposite of their intended effect, serving instead to fire up the last two speakers, including U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern.
“(Trump is) a man who literally separates children from their parents. A man who embraces racism and white supremacy. A man who has not use for the middle class or the working men and women of this country, but who is totally in the pocket of corporate America.
“Someone who calls our veterans ‘losers’ and ‘suckers’ — shame on him. A man who doesn’t respect women. A man who doesn’t respect our environment.”
He also slammed President Trump for incompetence in the handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Finally,” McGovern concluded, “I firmly believe — and don’t you forget it — that love trumps hate.”
While there were some verbal altercations as the crowd began to disperse, the presence of police seemed to tamp down any urge by supporters on either side to get into a fight.
While the Democratic rally was a one-time event, Trump supporters said they will be back at the Uptown Common this Saturday.