Pro-law

Aug 23, 2020

Pro-Trump and Pro-Law enforcement parade at the Shinnecock Bay in Hampton Bays on Sunday. Credit: James Carbone Updated August 23, 2020 5:22 PM The presidential campaign floated out to Long Island Sunday as dozens of boaters supporting President Donald Trump and law enforcement motored through Shinnecock Bay. Displaying “Trump 2020,” “thin blue line” and American flags, the parade of more than 100 boats included pleasure cruisers, recreational boats, smaller center consoles, speed boats, personal watercraft and a commercial trawler. They traversed east Sunday from the Shinnecock Inlet to Ponquogue Bridge in Hampton Bays. Interspersed with fishermen casting lures from a jetty, Trump supporters stood on land and docks waving to the boats and cheering. Those on boats responded with joyful bellows and brief chants of “four more years.” A bag piper played from a boat. A person in an Elmo costume, sans furry feet, cheered from the roof of one boat. One flag said “Never Biden,” another read “Make liberals Cry Again.” “The silent majority isn’t silent today,” said Cathie Guglicciu, 51 of Old Brookville waving an American flag from shore. “We love the patriotism, supporting our president, the positive energy, supporting our police.” Sunday's parade was one of a number of recent flotillas of boaters supporting Trump, including one in the Great South Bay attended by Trump’s late brother Robert Trump in late June. A flyer advertising the event billed it as supporting both Trump and law enforcement. “It’s a unique way to show support,” said Frank Lapinski, 64 of East Moriches, who is retired from law enforcement and watched the parade from a jetty along the inlet. “It’s a chance to show my patriotism.” Sign up for The Classroom newsletter. Education on Long Island is changing. Find out how. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . John Noonan, 73 of Hampton Bays, who was also on the jetty, called the fleet of pro-Trump boats “a great sight to see. It’s a great show of support.” Freddie and George Hughes of Hampton Bays parked lawn chairs on the Shinnecock commercial fishing dock. Freddie Hughes, a Board of Election worker, said Trump “wants for America. He wants for we the people.” Her husband George Hughes added “police officers are taking it on the chin and I don’t think there’s any reason for it.” Long Island and the nation had seen a steady stream of protests from Black Lives Matter supporters in the wake of George Floyd's death after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck on May 25. Coast Guard Petty Officer Spencer Harrison said there were no incidents to report from the Trump flotilla. He estimated more than 100 boats took part.