‘Stop the steal’: Donald Trump supporters rally outside the Florida Capitol Building
Image by Jason Delgado.

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They challenged the election results and called on the courts to reverse the outcome.

Supporters of President Donald Trump rallied outside of the Florida Capitol Building on Saturday, vocalizing their concerns with alleged voter fraud and election irregularities.

The rally-goers — roughly 100 or so — were equipped with signs, flags and bullhorns. Together, they challenged Joe Biden‘s election results and called on the courts to reverse the decision.

“Stop the steal,” the group often chanted.

Among the rally-goers was Nathaniel Jay, a St. Petersburg resident and marine corps veteran who drove several hours to Tallahassee after learning of the demonstration on social media.

Jay questioned how Republicans could be successful in both U.S. House and Senate races, while Trump’s re-election bid was unsuccessful. He further questioned the results in Pennsylvania, a state that seemed in Trump’s grip before swinging in Biden’s favor.

“Red flags and warning bells should go off inside of you if you’re a common-sense individual,” he said, adding, “that’s why I’m here because it’s blatantly obvious that there is chicanery, legitimate fraud at work.”

Later, armed with a bullhorn and donning an American flag around his shoulders, Jay led the mostly-maskless group in prayer while they rested between chants. He thanked God for “competent hearts and critically-thinking minds.” He prayed they’d be empowered to expose the “treacherous acts being persecuted against United States Citizenry.”

Saturday’s “Stop the Vote” demonstration was just one of several held throughout the country at state capitols. Some said they heard of the rally on Infowars, others said they discovered the nationwide demonstration by word of mouth and social media.

Gadsen County resident Evan Hunter said the multi-state rallies have reinvigorated him and other Trump voters. He described Trump as the “backbone of freedom” and added it was important that supporters  “show their numbers” nationwide.

“We know that there is f*ckery afoot with our elections,” Hunter said. “This is something very important that we can’t afford to lose ground on.”

Demonstrators were met with a small gathering of five or so counter-protesters across the street. The back-and-forth between the groups and traffic was peaceful and without incident.

Elsewhere, Biden and Kamala Harris supporters gathered in cities across the country to celebrate the incoming 46th President and Vice President.

Central Florida resident Melissa Rose lamented Biden supporters and portrayed the 77-year old Biden an ineffective leader that threatens her as a minority. Throughout the afternoon, she waved a framed picture of Jesus at cars driving by.

Rose said she and her family woke up early Saturday to drive to Tallahassee and reenact the Jericho March.

Rooted in the Old Testament, Rose’s Jericho March was a prophetic gesture to the biblical story of the Battle of Jericho. It symbolized, she said, the Israelites’ 7-day march around the walls of Jericho.

“We believe there are demonic forces that are allowing demonic things to happen in our country,” she said. “We love our country though we know it’s not perfect.”

Jason Delgado

Jason Delgado covers news out of the Florida State Capitol. After a go with the U.S. Army, the Orlando-native attended the University of Central Florida and earned a degree in American Policy and National Security. His past bylines include WMFE-NPR and POLITICO Florida. He'd love to hear from you. You can reach Jason by email ([email protected]) or on Twitter at @byJasonDelgado.


11 comments

  • LINDIESUE

    November 7, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    In Jesus Name:

    Expose and hold accountable those who practice the seven things God hates: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

    Expose all wickedness intended to steal, kill and destroy the electoral process in these battleground states.

    Frustrate those who seek to steal, kill, and destroy electoral integrity and authentic, accurate vote counts in these battleground states.

    Frustrate and thwart the plans of those who attempt to sabotage the state’s election laws and subvert the expressed will of the people.

  • S B ANTHONY

    November 7, 2020 at 6:24 pm

    Blah, blah, blah. Crawl back under your rocks. It’s a new day. Sane and Normal are back.

  • Lewis Howie

    November 7, 2020 at 7:21 pm

    Jason,

    Its been so long since I’ve read a straight up factual and human interest article like this one, without spin or undertone.

    Thank you.

  • Cecilia Olivier

    November 8, 2020 at 9:24 am

    GOD BLESS YOU JASON

  • Sonja Fitch

    November 8, 2020 at 2:24 pm

    These folks ought to be petitioning for the Trump Library be housed at Ripleys Believe It or Not Museum! Folks you lost! Step back and STOP drinking the goptrump Clorox !

  • James Robert Miles

    November 8, 2020 at 3:46 pm

    Can we ever deal with FACTS rather than accusations pulled out of somebodies butt? I know facts are a foreign concept for Trump supporters but they are in fact REALITY! With Trump, they are so far from reality that they live in never, never land! America just wasn’t ready for another term by a delusional, egomaniac, fascist dictator wanna-be, thank God! The people have spoken! That should be enough for anyone who believes in real democracy, not a crazy person incapable of governance!

  • David

    November 8, 2020 at 5:28 pm

    Gore got 37 days for one state and 500 votes. Pipe down.

  • James Robert Miles

    November 8, 2020 at 7:26 pm

    @David STFU, The Gore vs “W” was another Republican fiasco with a Governor who happened to be the brother of “W” and a Sec. of State who also just happened to be in charge of “W”‘s campaign. Once again like Trump, he also wanted vote counting stopped! Typical GOP extremist party B.S. whereby they don’t believe in democracy and the only way they can win is to cheat! Get over it. The people have spoken and YOU LOST! Cry baby fascists, just like your “dear leader” America’s biggest embarrassment! This is a democracy and we don’t like fascists! Perhaps you should move to Russia where I am sure that you would fit right in!

  • Perspective

    November 8, 2020 at 11:49 pm

    Democrats have been crying and lying for four years.

  • Lauren Bebout

    November 11, 2020 at 7:33 am

    News does not call for president elect. PERIOD. Statistically, there is no way he received the count he did, especially after the votes were to be counted. And let’s not get started the SCORECARD HAMMER PROGRAMMING. THE ILLEGAL VOTING IS OUT OF CONTROL, AND THIS HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY DEMS AND REP PARTY OVER THE YEARS. JOE BIDEN SAID IT HIMSELF “PUT TOGETHER THE MOST EXTENSIVE AND INCLUSIVE VOTER FRAUD ORGANIZATION IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN POLITICS”

  • Alison Kennedy

    November 13, 2020 at 6:26 pm

    100 or so??? Looks like a lot more than that to me. Fake news.

Comments are closed.


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