NAHANT — Every Tuesday, a group of six to 10 people gather around the rotary at Nahant Circle carrying American flags and Donald Trump signs, and wearing MAGA hats in a show of support for the president.
The demonstrations, which began in September, are organized by Nahant resident Kristina Etter, and attendees hope to drum up support for Trump as well as the down-ballot Republican candidates.
“We’re there to raise consciousness,” said Mary Livingston, the Nahant Republican Town Committee Chair, who participates in the shows of support every Tuesday. “(We’re here ) to show people we care, and to get the conservative message out there.”
Livingston said that the reactions to the small but energetic rallies are mostly positive.
“Some people give us a thumbs down and some people flip us the bird. But I’d say 8 to 1 — the people who interact with us are positive,” she said. She credits this to the fact that Nahant isn’t politically polarized in the way the rest of the country is.
Nahant went solidly Democratic in the 2016 presidential election, with Hillary Clinton receiving 57.8% of the vote to Trump’s 37.5%.
In 2018, the election results were mixed, with the town backing Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren and Republican Governor Charlie Baker.
The weekly rally is also strongly supportive of the police. Etter organized a separate rally in July at the same location specifically to “Back the Blue,” in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests. The current standouts feature signs thanking police officers.
“Jobs, the economy and opportunities,” said Livingston, when asked about what she supports about the President. “I also agree with (Trump) on immigration reform. We have to control our borders.”
COVID-19 protocols at these rallies are more relaxed than at many other events.
“We follow distance, (but) we don’t have any written protocols. Some people wear masks, some people don’t,” said Livingston.
She also said that she liked Trump’s odds of re-election.
“I think his chances are very good,” she said. “I know the polls say otherwise but sometimes the polls are wrong. I did some stand-outs in 2016, and the reaction wasn’t nearly as positive as it is now.”
Early voting in Nahant runs from Friday through Oct. 30 during normal Town Hall hours. Voting will also be available Saturday, Oct. 17 and 24 between 2 and 4 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 18 and 25 between 12 and 2 p.m.
The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election is Oct. 24.
