The organizers of the Make America Great Again march and rally, Saturday, at Bolsa Chica State Beach are crossing their fingers and hoping for a peaceful event.

The march – in support of the president, military, first responders and certain causes – is being billed as a kid-friendly family-oriented event. But it takes place in climate where stark divisions in the public have led to a number of high-profile confrontations when supporters and detractors of the president collide.

March organizer Jennifer Sterling said she expects at least 3,000 participants many of whom, she says, will be women, children and elderly. “I really hope these people are safe,” she said

The event that coincides with a nationwide effort the same day in more than 30 states and Washington, D.C. Although the title of the march carries President Donald Trump’s campaign slogan, Sterling said it was more about patriotism and appreciation for those who serve.

Organizers plan to rally near Warner Avenue and PCH, then walk along a roughly two-mile stretch of the bike path.

Organizers of a counter rally said they plan to create a “human wall” to prevent that.

“We aren’t going to start fights, but we are going to try to stop them from completing their march,” said Byron Lopez, a counter rally organizer who expects 100 to 200 supporters from an array of groups.

The march was moved to the state beach from its original planned location near the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, after officials there announced the closure of the fair property during the weekend of the event.

About 11 months ago, a Trump campaign rally at the Pacific Amphitheatre turned violent when supporters and protesters clashed. Seventeen people were arrested after demonstrators blocked traffic and damaged several police vehicles.

State Parks Capt. Kevin Pearsall said the Make America Great Again group has a permit for the walk. When the move was announced he said he thought the contained area of the beach would help provide safety and security.

Huntington Beach Police Chief Robert Handy said public safety would be the responsibility of State Parks. “We are making a few plans, just in case there’s a spill-over effect,” he said.

Lopez said if there are any violent clashes his group would try to “de-escalate” the conflict.

“We’re not looking to start anything,” he said.

Asked about the reason for the counter rally, Lopez said, “Because this is where the conservative revolution came from. With the rise of Trump has come the rise of hyper-nationalism and we aren’t just going to let that happen.”

Not all Trump opponents believe meeting and confronting marchers is a good idea.

“I think at this point it would be counter-productive,” said Marshall Blesofsky of the Long Beach Area Peace Network. “We’re mainly focused on going to the polls and removing the Trump majority from congress.”

Sterling said her group would do all it could to avoid conflict and only wanted to wave flags, sing patriotic songs, have barbecues and show support for first responders, service men and women and veterans.

“I’m not into provoking anything,” she said. “I’m not a protester. I’m a mom. This whole thing was organized by moms.”

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