A fund raising event for presumptive GOP Presidential nominee Donald Trump in Lexington has prompted a reaction from a diverse group of citizens, including remarks from a black pastor, a Muslim doctor, and a Latino businessman.
Speakers Monday spoke of fear of increased division under a Trump presidency, while others carried signs that read ‘Trump Demeans Women’ and ‘It is Un-American to Ban Muslims.’ Saying she was participating more as a ‘grandmother’ and not a ‘congressional candidate’, Nancy Jo Kemper led the press conference.
Afterward, she noted her time in ministry, “I found out in the ecumenical movement, that when we listen carefully to the things that we differ about, that we learn some strengths that come from a point a view that we thought we disagreed with.”
Lexington anesthesiologist Dr. Nadia Rasheed spoke about growing up in a multi-cultural neighborhood in New York, “We were all humans and we were living together, so we connected with the Jew, and the Muslim, and the Hispanic. And we loved each other. Here, sometimes we don’t connect. But once we do, it’s magical.”
Lexington businessman Freddie Peralta says an increasing number of Latinos and Arabs in many communities are registering to vote. He says they are doing so because of concerns related to Trump’s candidacy.
Just a few miles away, in downtown Lexington lawmakers from 15 states gathered for the Southern Legislative Conference.
Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers is a coordinator. He believes some of Trump’s positions have merit. “If you think about underlying policies that he talks about, and when you clarify of what he speaks of, I think it is something that has created an interest in where he wants to take the country.”
The GOP legislative leader admits Trump speaks his mind, “He doesn’t so try to filter it that he has a perception of deception and untrustworthiness as Hillary Clinton does.”
Stivers cited a tougher position on undocumented immigrants as one example. The Senate GOP leader believes, if the election were held now, Trump would carry Kentucky by double digits.
