HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Supporters and protesters faced off Thursday outside the Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Huntington, West Virginia before President Donald Trump’s evening rally.

Supporters lined the street, winding their way around the arena and then into the street, which was blocked off to vehicular traffic. Protesters also gathered on the corner across from the arena.

Some supporters had been there since early morning to claim a good spot in line.

Joseph VanWinkle, Emily Robinson and Caleb Lycans, all of Wayne, were near the front of the line. Robinson wore a “Make America Great Again” hat.

“This experience has been amazing,” Robinson said. “We’ve been here since 2 in the morning, waiting. We’re so excited to see Trump. I think he’s going to do amazing stuff for this country. … The people of West Virginia love him.”

Lycans, who sported a “Trump: Make America Great Again” flag tied around his neck like a cape, said he wanted to show his support.

“I just like to be here because for one, the president is going to be here, and of course, you have to show love for Trump,” he said. “He’s No. 1.”

VanWinkle was also supportive.

“I feel like recently, Trump has been under fire and I would like to show him that he still has support in this area and that we still believe he’s going to do what he promised to do,” VanWinkle said. “And there are still people out here who back him and support him and think he’s doing a great job.”

Robinson agreed.

“I love Trump because he does what he says and he says what he means,” she said. “He’s not a career politician who is just blowing smoke. He even called Congress out. It takes a lot of courage for a president to speak out that openly and call out political counterparts, saying, ‘I’m trying to do my job and we can work together to try to solve this.'”

VanWinkle said he has been a conservative for a long time.

“What has been most amazing to me is how many Americans are starting to be patriotic again and don’t feel ashamed to be patriotic again,” VanWinkle said. “It’s beautiful because you walk down the street and there are American flags hanging out again and American flags on trucks. I’m proud to be an American and I’m glad people are, too.” 

Supporters weren’t the only people who showed up early. Katie Copley, of Huntington, arrived at 8:30 a.m. She carried a sign that said “Create Jobs Not Pollution.”

“There was no protesters over here yet and I thought it was really sad that no one was trying to raise awareness with all the issues we have going on with our economy, with the climate, and with all that goes in on that.”

Copley said the biggest reason she wanted to come out was because of environmental issues.

“I’m an outdoors kind of girl. I like fishing. I like being outdoors,” she said. “We’ve brought whitewater, kayaking, fishing. We have the Hatfields and McCoys trail. Who wants to come here and do all this stuff if the water is poisoned?”

Copley said she had even stood with supporters for a while.

“I stood over there for about 30-40 minutes before people noticed me,” she said gesturing toward the line that wound around the arena. “I think my ‘Create Jobs’ sign threw everyone off.”

Although Copley said there weren’t many protestors when she first arrived, many started gathering later in the afternoon. There were a few clashes between protestors and supporters. However, many protestors said before the doors opened for the event, that they had not been bothered.

Jim Wilson of Barboursville held a sign that said “Trump Sucks” on one side and “Liar Liar” on the other.

“I just want to stand up and let everyone know that not all West Virginians are this stupid to vote for someone who is anti-women, anti-gay, anti everything but himself,” Wilson said.

He arrived about 2 p.m. and said he was prepared for a full evening.

“I walked several blocks with bad knees, but I had to do something as little as it is to stand up to the man,” he said.

Wilson said protesting was especially important for him as a (Boy) Scout leader. He said he felt Trump’s comments last week at the National Scout Jamboree in Fayette County were “terrible.”

“I have been a Boy Scout leader for 25 years and we taught our kids the exact opposite of what Donald Trump is trying to say,” Wilson said. “I’m disappointed in so many West Virginians.”

Sally Roberts-Wilson of Charleston also arrived to protest.

“I’m here today to stand up against hatred, to stand up against intolerance, to stand up for rights and kindness that West Virginians have historically shown one another,” Roberts-Wilson said. “There are so many reasons that won’t all fit on this sign. I’m here because I can’t watch our democracy and our country fall into disrepair, to fall apart and become a plutocracy. …Quite honestly, I can’t stand by and do nothing.” 

Roberts-Wilson held a sign that said “West Virginia Not For Haters.”

“I was watching national news that said Virginia is for lovers but West Virginia is for blank. I felt it was obvious it meant West Virginia is for haters and because the way people voted for Trump in the last election,” she said. “I want people to know not all West Virginians did.”

Some protestors had traveled from nearby towns in Ohio as well. Mary Jean, of Jackson, Ohio, held up a sign that said “Trump Lies.”

“I am very concerned that Mr. Trump is an incompetent president,” Jean said, in particular, concerns with the environment. “I don’t think he’s familiar with the Constitution and how government works and I find him a very frightening person to have in the White House.”

Lannom writes for the Beckley, West Virginia Register-Herald.