With Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump scheduled to speak in downtown Jacksonville Wednesday, supporters of Democrat Hillary Clinton took to the streets of Five Points to denounce her rival Wednesday morning.
Against the backdrop of a thriving business district, Duval Democrats praised former Secretary of State Clinton’s economic development vision, which includes taxing big banks to invest in growing businesses in underserved communities. Clinton also advocates raising the minimum wage to at least $12.
Traci Evans, owner of San Marco’s Meow & Barks Fashion Boutique, says that doesn't scare her.
“It would affect us, definitely, because we’d have to pay our employees more,” Evans said, “but our customers will make more, and they will spend more, and they will enjoy life more, so I’m all for fair wages.”
Evans is campaigning for Clinton and says she really likes her, but even more than that, she’s “concerned” about Trump.
“We don’t need walls here in Jacksonville. We’re coming together. We don’t need a leader who is willing to allow for us to be divided,” she said, adding she’s afraid of the “racism” that she thinks comes along with Trump’s rallies.
Doors for the Trump rally at Veterans Memorial Arena open at 4 p.m., with Trump’s speech scheduled for 7 p.m. Advance registration with the Trump campaign is required to attend.
In an email from the Republican Party of Duval County, Chairwoman Cindy Graves said, “Judging from the community excitement, we expect enormous crowds from Jacksonville and surrounding counties in Florida and Georgia. We can't answer the phones fast enough.”
