Anti-Trump, Pro-Trump Boaters To Parade Around Lake Hopatcong

NORTH JERSEY - A pair of competing boat gatherings surrounding President Donald Trump are planned for Saturday, as he returns to New Jersey this weekend to spend time in his Bedminster golf club.

According to a Facebook event invite, the "No Hate On Our Lake" protest boat parade is to counter another group of Trump supporters planning to show their support on the lake.

"On Aug. 15, hundreds of Trump supporters are expected to go down Lake Hopatcong voicing their support for the failed Presidency of Donald Trump," Matthew Steinbaum said. "In response, we will meet by boat at the River Styx Bridge. For those of you without boats, please gather on the River Styx Bridge in Hopatcong to share your voice, and demonstrate that our community doesn't stand for hate. Please bring your anti Trump signs, pro Biden signs, or any other signs of protest that will send a clear message. This protest will be extremely peaceful and safe."

The Trump supporters are being organized by the Sussex County Republican Committee, and will begin their voyage at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Steinbaum said the plan is to ride alongside the Trump supporters and demonstrate that the community doesn't stand for hate. Participants are being asked to bring signs, pro-Biden and other anti-Trump items. Steinbaum wrote on the event page that he wanted to ensure this rally failed like Trump's Oklahoma rally did.

"We need your support now more than ever. Bigotry and hatred have no room in our community and on our lake. We hope to see you on Aug. 15, at the River Styx bridge, and be ready to share your voices," he said. "Remember, we are on the right side of history."

Steimbaum, a lifelong resident of the lake area, told Patch it was no coincidence the boating events were happening on the same say at the same time.

"Well, what really prompted us was the fact that the Trump Boat Parade got rescheduled to the same date. Once I saw that even after having a large event, they still weren’t satisfied and are now planning to come back," he said. "I felt no choice but to come back and raise my voice. I’m proud to live here and I cannot let hate and Trump go unchallenged at my home and my country."

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