Ahead Of RivCo Trump Rally, City Affirms Right To Sell Political Merch

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Palm Springs officials said Thursday that they have gotten several complaints from residents about a vendor selling political merchandise on city sidewalks, but confirmed that the vendor has obtained the business licensing to do so.

"His right to sell political merchandise is protected by the First Amendment and state law, regardless of political viewpoint," the city said. "Like any licensed business, he must adhere to all city regulations. Violations will be addressed accordingly."

The city released its statement on vendors' rights to sell political wares just a few days before Trump was expected to arrive in Coachella for a rare California appearance.

Residents said on Facebook that flags bearing President Donald Trump's name and other merchandise promoting his campaign were being sold by the vendor.

However, the city of Palm Springs could not confirm that with Patch.

"We were not given that information, simply that it was political merchandise," city spokesperson Kitty Alvarado said.

Tensions grew in the desert area this week as Trump's expected appearance drew closer.

Trump is scheduled to hold his rally at 5 p.m. Oct. 12 at Calhoun Ranch, 52995 Calhoun St., in Coachella, where he's expected to paint a bleak picture for Golden State residents about their state, according to the narrative of an Oct. 7 news release from the Trump campaign.

Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez released a statement Monday afternoon unfavorably comparing Trump's planned rally to a 2020 primary campaign event held by Sen. Bernie Sanders, whom he said the city was "proud to welcome."

"Trump's attacks on immigrants, women, the LQBTQ community and the most vulnerable among us don't align with the values of our community," Hernandez said. "He has consistently expressed disdain for the type of diversity that helps define Coachella. We don't know why Trump is visiting near Coachella, but we know he wasn't invited by the people who live here. He ain't like us."

Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Indio, whose district includes the rally site, echoed Hernandez on Monday when he called the rally "yet another demonstration of his cluelessness and ignorance" and Trump himself "an affront to everything that makes the Coachella Valley a vibrant community."

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, an ardent Trump supporter, will be among the conservative figures in attendance at the rally. According to the Desert Sun, Bianco said he was not planning on speaking at the event, but would if asked.

He also criticized the comments from Ruiz and Hernandez.

"Reckless comments from irresponsible local politicians certainly do not help our mission and quite frankly are embarrassing for Riverside County," Bianco said in his own statement. "I will be there to ensure the former President and attendees go home safely."

Many have been puzzled by the former president's decision to hold a rally in 100-degree weather on Friday in Coachella, known more for its massively attended music festival than anything else.

According to Politico, Trump may be headed there simply because California's 36th congressional district is the only competitive House race he won in 2020.

That district is now held by GOP Rep. Ken Calvert, who is in a deadlocked contest with Democratic challenger Will Rollins. It is unclear whether Calvert will appear for the rally, but Trump's rally is expected to "fire up" voters to reelect him and defeat Rollins, according to NRCC spokesperson Ben Petersen.

Read more about the upcoming rally here.

City News Service contributed to this report.