Iris SeatonAsheville Citizen Times
ASHEVILLE - Former President Donald Trump — and 2024 Republican presidential candidate — announced over the weekend that he is making an upcoming visit to Asheville this Wednesday, Aug. 14.
The announcement said that Trump will "deliver remarks on the economic hardships created by the Harris-Biden Administration" during the speech.
"Hard-working Americans are suffering because of the Harris-Biden Administration’s dangerously liberal policies," the announcement said. "Prices are excruciatingly high, and the cost of living has soared — leaving those on a fixed income unsure of how they are going to afford a basic standard of living in the future."
Here's what to know about Trump's appearance, including ticket information, other speakers, location, and more.
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Where is the Trump rally in North Carolina?
Trump will speak at Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St., Asheville, N.C. The former president appeared at the same venue in 2016 during his presidential campaign against Hillary Clinton, which he won. Western North Carolina's Congressional Rep. Chuck Edwards, of Hendersonville, will also be speaking at the rally, according to his spokesperson Maria Kim. It is not yet known if he will be introducing Trump.
When is the Asheville Trump rally?
The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 4 p.m. Doors will open at 1 p.m., and Trump will deliver his remarks at 4 p.m.
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How to get tickets for the Asheville Trump rally
You can request tickets — up to two per mobile number — for the event on the website at donaldjtrump.com. Tickets are free and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Trump rally schedule
Apart from the Aug. 14 event in Asheville, the only other event currently listed on the campaign website is for Trump's Vice Presidential running mate J.D. Vance's upcoming visit to the Byron Center in Michigan. The event is scheduled for the same day, Aug. 14, at 2 p.m. Doors open for the event at 10 a.m.
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Security measures for Asheville Trump rally
Representatives from the Asheville Police Department and the City of Asheville said that the Secret Service is working with local law enforcement to ensure the event's security. Information on specific measures being taken has not yet been released.
According to the St. Cloud Times, a July 26 Minnesota rally prohibited the following items:
- Aerosols
- Large bags and backpacks
- Balloons
- Coolers
- Glass, thermal or metal containers
- Laser pointers
- Mace / Pepper spray
- Selfie sticks
- Toy guns
- Any other items deemed a potential safety hazard
Assassination attempt: what we know
Though there isn't much information on specific security measures at this point for the Asheville rally, it's fair to assume that they will likely have tightened following the failed July 13 assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania Trump rally.
The shooting left two - a rally attendee and the shooter himself - dead and the former president with an injured right ear. The shooter was later identified as Thomas Crooks, 20.
Following the shooting, many NC political leaders took to X, formerly Twitter, to condemn the actions of the shooter. NC Gov. Roy Cooper posted: "Violence has no place in our politics or communities. I am grateful for the quick response by law enforcement today and hope former President Trump is not seriously injured."
Planning to protest?
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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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
