Nina Schutzman

Poughkeepsie Journal

A march in support of President Donald Trump drew his supporters — and detractors — to the Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie on Saturday.

"It's actually a nationwide event ... in support of not only our president, but the United States as a whole, the Constitution, our flag and first responders," said Roisin Druta, co-organizer of the Hudson Valley "Make America Great Again" march. "Conservatives and Libertarians ... we've got a strong voice here, too."

Druta said she expected about 200 people to march in support of Trump.

Trump opposers also showed up at the march; organizer Sonia Ryzy-Ryski said nearly 60 people were expected to attend.

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"We resist the toxic lies that are coming out of the Trump administration," Ryzy-Ryski said. "We are standing up for rights of immigrants and for the poor — we are standing up for our health care ... the Constitution."

Trump opposers sang "I Can't Keep Quiet" and held up signs — "Hate ain't great" and "Resistance is patriotic" — as marchers approached. Marchers, waving American flags and holding their own signs — "Trump is president" and "Trump/Pence" — shouted "make America great again," and sang "America the Beautiful" as they passed the group of Trump opposers.

The march came a day after a vote on the GOP bill to replace the Affordable Care Act was cancelled because there were not enough Republican votes to pass the legislation.

The failure to pass the bill was a major blow to both House Speaker Paul Ryan and President Trump in their efforts to rack up Republican accomplishments now that they control both Congress and the White House, the USA Today Network reported. It was the first big legislative test for Republicans since they won back the White House and retained control of the House and Senate in last fall's election.

Repealing and replacing the health care law known as Obamacare was a major campaign promise made by Trump and scores of GOP House members and candidates in last year’s election. But they were never able to agree on the best way to achieve their goal.

"There may be some disappointment, but no one is expressing it," said Druta, about local attendees' reaction to the failure of passing a new health care bill. "I think people want to see something passed that is good and solid, not just something that is pushed right through like Obamacare was. I think in general everyone is just very excited to be here, to show their patriotism, to show that we stand up for America."

Sarah Uzelac of Beacon came out to support the counter-protest.

"We're standing up for the resistance," Uzelac said. "My personal values don't allow me to agree with the current administration's actions. I just feel that anytime there's someone who is standing up for that, it's important and productive to represent the counter-narrative."

LaGrangeville residents Valerie and Brian Rovira brought their daughter, Tonie, to march in support of Trump.

"We're marching for Trump and to make America great again," Valerie Rovira said. "This country needs to change and Americans need to be first and we need to take care of each other."

Nina Schutzman: nschutzman@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-451-4518 Twitter: @pojonschutzman