Trump parades defy polling as 'silent majority' vocalizes support

Despite what national polling tells about the 2020 presidential race, Trump supporters across major US cities are pouring into the streets to express their support and devotion to the Republican president.

While Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden leads in new public opinion surveys covering Florida, North Carolina, and Wisconsin—with an edge in two of the states and a double-digit breakaway in the third—President Donald Trump won all three battlegrounds in 2016.

The polls and mainstream media coverage may not reflect the grassroots movements sweeping the nation in favour of the outspoken incumbent.

As part of a "Trump Train" on Saturday, over 7,000 Trumpers prayed at a mall parking lot in Laredo, a city overlooking the Mexican border in southern Texas.

“We opened up the event by honoring God in prayer and honoring the U.S. flag with the Pledge of Allegiance," event organizer and National Border Council president Hector Garza told Laredo Morning Times about the "historic" and peaceful parade along the Rio Grande River.

Webb County Republican chairman Bill Young called it one of the biggest political events he has ever witnessed, exceeding his expectations. "We are going to turn Webb County red as we are going to win Webb County," he said.

The demonstration of cars spanned over 15 miles along IH-35, Bob Bullock Loop and Del Mar.

"All aboard the Laredo Trump Train! Together we will Keep America Great!" the group's Facebook page read.

Activists intended to team up with veterans to repaint a mural condemning Trump's proposed border wall, Texas Public Radio reported

The No Border Wall Coalition designed a 30-foot tall yellow street mural last month, adorning the community with "Defund the wall. Fund our future."

Organizers had originally planned to drive their automobiles over the downtown artwork but agreed to change their route Thursday evening. Instead, a crew of painters hired by law enforcement worked nearby on a new mural, titled "Back The Blue."

Multiple caravans took to Ohio's Interstate 275 on Saturday morning, decking out their vehicles to back Trump's bid for reelection in November, WCPO-TV reported in Cincinnati, observing hundreds at various locations around the 84-mile loop.

200 to 300 people gathered at Eastgate Mall while another over 100 gathered outside Hobby Lobby's location in Colerain. As many as 50 vehicles parked at the Showcase Cinema in Fairfield.

Nearly 7,000 were expected, accepting invites to the "Trump Parade Cincinnati Ohio" event page on Facebook with more than 12,000 others indicating interest.

Safety plans were reiterated: maintain 50 to 55 miles per hour, ensuring two to three cars-length distance while riding in the middle lane or the right lane to allow for traffic and be cordial and considerate of others on the road.

A mass of honking Trump voters rolled through Los Angeles on Sunday morning, producer Robby Starbuck reported.

"We all need to keep it up. The silent majority is refusing to be silent and that is exactly the right move," Starbuck tweeted. "Silence won't save our country from the radical left, showing our faces and using our voices will. If they can do it in LA, you can too!"

Approximately 100 Trump voters gathered at a parking lot in Studio City, near the intersection of Ventura Boulevard and Fruitland Drive, Daily Sundial reported.

Republican Party of Los Angeles and Latinos For Trump were in attendance with no one organization leading the mass mobilization.

The Los Angeles Police Department was actively present and directed traffic. Alongside law enforcement, administrators wore red "Rally In The Valley" badges attached to their shirts as they choreographed vehicles with radios.

Very few wore masks. Many stated that they did not believe the spread of COVID-19 was a threat worth worrying about while shaking hands and hugging.

"I'm not really concerned. I think the numbers speak for themselves," said Julie Haff, a Los Angeles GOP spokesperson.

Multiple vendors sold off-brand Trump merchandise and donated profits to veterans and Haff's organisation.

CJ McDonald, a Topanga resident, drove a camouflage M923A2, a five-ton troop carrier U.S. military vehicle. The demonstration reminded McDonald of the Ronald Reagan rally he attended at Pierce College in 1984, he told reporters.

At the last pro-Trump caravan that passed through Woodland Hills on Aug. 31, violence ensued between the peaceful protesters and violent counter-protesters who hurled glass bottles at the conservatives from their apartment at the same site of this weekend's celebration.

According to KTLA, police arrested a 28-year-old man, who allegedly pointed a rifle at a caravan participant, on suspicion of assault with deadly weapon on Friday. No shots were fired during the incident.

McDonald acknowledged that "there are a lot of white silent folks who are afraid to come out."

Trump visited California for only two hours on Monday due to the raging wildfires  sweeping on the West Coast.

The president lost the popular vote by 3 million to Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton in 2016. Trump recently alleged to Fox News host Laura Ingraham that there was "tremendous cheating" in the Golden State, named as one of the biggest Democrat-dominant states, during the previous presidential election.

"I think I did win the popular vote in a true sense," Trump told Ingraham in an interview last week. "I think there was tremendous cheating in California."

California is home to millions of Republicans, although right-wing constituents comprise only a quarter of voters in the Democratic stronghold.