ORLANDO, Fla. — President Donald Trump's Orlando campaign rally will not begin until Tuesday evening, but preparations were already underway Monday.
Roads were already been closed in downtown Orlando, and dozens of Trump's supporters had already set up chairs and tents to claim their spots in line outside the Amway Center.
The first supporters said they started to line up at 4 a.m. Monday.
The Amway Center holds about 20,000 people, and it's expected to be filled for the president's rally.
Kimulita Mann, who traveled to Orlando from Houston, was among the people waiting in line outside the Amway Center on Monday afternoon.
"(I want to get) as close as I can get, sir. I want to be eyeballs to the man. That's my man -- Trump," she said. "I want to support my president and my country --where we stand and the vision of this country. I'm a big Trump supporter."
During a Monday afternoon news conference, Orlando fire Chief Rich Wales warned people of the elements they might have to brave Tuesday.
"Plan ahead for your visit tomorrow," he said. "Stay hydrated. Bring water. Wear sunscreen. Wear light-weight clothing, and remember (there will be) standing room only. And many will be standing for an extended amount of time."
President Trump tweeted late Monday evening about those awaiting his arrival.
Thousands of people are already lined up in Orlando, some two days before tomorrow nights big Rally. Large Screens and food trucks will be there for those that can’t get into the 25,000 capacity arena. It will be a very exciting evening! Make America Great Again!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2019
Trump dissenters are scheduled to host protest rallies of their own outside the venue.
The city said it has been contacted by three groups that plan to hold demonstrations around the venue.
"Those officers who have a specialty dealing with crowd control, if it rises to the level that they're needed, you may see them come into the picture," Orlando police Chief Orlando Rolon said. "But for the most part, we're going to treat the event just like we would any other mass gathering."
Several Latino groups said they are upset with Trump’s decision to announce his reelection campaign in Orlando. In response, they plan to gather near Stonewall Bar and Exploria Stadium for a protest.
Organizers said they're upset with the president's handling of the situations in Venezuela and in Puerto Rico, specifically when it comes to Hurricane Maria.
U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., was with protest organizers Monday and weighed in on the president's visit.
“We are a diverse community that rejects the divisive politics of President Trump. Obviously, it's hurtful and it's gonna get an equal and opposite reaction,” Soto said.
Republican and Democratic officials said they are working overtime to get ready.
“A president of the United States has never come to our city to announce that he's running for president of the United States of America, let alone the state of Florida,” said Charles Hart, chair of the Orange County Republican Executive Committee.
"It really reinforces our position that the White House will be won or lost here in Central Florida," said Wes Hodge, chair of the Orange County Democratic Executive Committee.
Cox Media Group
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