Organizations prepare for Donald Trump's visit to Western Washington
SEATTLE -- Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is coming to Western Washington this weekend.
Trump’s campaign will not say which city or cities he plans to stop. One state senator is behind Trump all the way, but several local organizations say he’s not welcome here.
Protesters in Seattle made their feelings known about Trump when they carried a piñata of his likeness through Seattle’s immigration rights May Day march on Sunday.
His visits have already drawn tension all over the country, and his opponents say he’ll do the same in Washington.
“He does not represent the values of the Northwest,” said Darwin Ruiz with the group El Comite, the group behind the May Day immigration rights march. He says he doesn’t know why Trump would want to visit Washington.
“In a few words, he is not welcome to Washington state on behalf of the workers, the hard workers,” said Ruiz.
But state Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, said he’s excited.
“I think that’s what attracted me to Mr. Trump in the first place is we believe in doing what’s right first,” said Benton.
More importantly, he’s excited about Trump as the Republican presidential nominee.
“We’re not afraid to do what is necessary to make this country great,” said Benton.
But groups like OneAmerica Votes, which fights for immigrant rights, disagree.
“The fact that he is a viable threat to the presidential candidacy has really rocked my world,” said Yasmin Christopher, a board member for OneAmerica Votes and a Muslim.
Leaders like Christopher say when Trump makes his stops in Washington, they’ll be ready for him.
“His tactic is to incite violence and elicit controversy and things like that, so it’s not a stretch for him to come here,” said Christopher.