Pro-Trump Event In NY Canceled Over Community Fears Of White Supremacists

ROCHESTER, NY — A pro-Trump event scheduled to take place in Rochester next month was canceled this week after a community petition warned the event might attract white supremacists to the area.

Main Street Armory in Rochester was slated to host the controversial "ReAwaken America" tour Aug. 12-13, Business Insider reported. The tour, created by conservative podcast host Clay Clark, is known to attract far-right extremist groups, including QAnon.

The tour has stopped in several cities since it launched in 2021. Speakers at past events include MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, InfoWars host Alex Jones, former national security advisor Michael Flynn, and Roger Stone, former political advisor to President Donald Trump, according to Business Insider.

The tour quickly received significant backlash from community members, who pointed out that the Rochester event was scheduled on the anniversary of a far-right demonstration in Charlottesville, Virginia, that turned violent.

According to an online petition signed by New Yorkers, locals feared the event would likely "draw white supremacists and other members of hate groups from around the northeast to our community. "

In the petition, New Yorkers urged others to boycott events at the Main Street Armory unless the event was canceled.

Main Street Armory owner Scott Donaldson released a statement to Spectrum News following the decision.

"I'd like to say that the Main Street Armory is an equal opportunity and non-political venue. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, etc. I believe everyone has the right to their own opinions and beliefs," Donaldson said.

He continued, "(In response) to the outpour(ing) of concern from our community, both good and bad, I have decided after careful thought to cancel The Reawaken America Tour that was scheduled in August 2022."