Bucks County Residents Take Part In Inauguration & Weekend Rally

Whether celebrating or demonstrating, Bucks County was well represented the various events related to the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

The various sections of the crowd of the National Mall Friday were speckled with local residents, including Dave Sommers of Middletown’s Levittown section and Chuck Clayton of Bristol Township’s Levittown section.

The two men boarded a predawn Amtrak train in Trenton along with others heading down to see Trump’s inauguration in Washington D.C.

Aside from K-9 police dogs, the trip from Trenton to Union Station was uneventful aside from one drunk Trump supporters who draped himself in a flag and wore an Uncle Sam hat, Clayton said.

“The train was packed with Trump supporters,” the Middletown Republican said.

Sommers, who supported Trump in the general election, said he thought Trump’s first speech as President was simple and got his message across.

“It’s wasn’t flowery. It was short and sweet and to the point,” he said. “The whole thing was business-like.”

Clayton, a lifelong Democrat who switched parties while campaigning for Trump, explained that he believes Trump will follow through with his campaign promises to help get downtrodden Americans back on their feet.

“What truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our government is controlled by the people. January 20th 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again, Trump told the crowd. “The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.”

It was statements like that which give Clayton a new hope for America.

“I like what he said and I believe him,” the former union carpenter stated while standing near the Washington Monument.

“I liked that Trump didn’t focus on himself like Obama did in his speeches,” Sommers said. “He said, ‘I’m with you.'”

Newtown Athletic Club owner Jim Worthington was among the Bucks Countians who were at the inauguration and got up-close seats. Throughout the campaign, Worthington helped the Trump campaign organize and get out the vote through a well-funded grassroots effort. His efforts culminated in the fall when Trump visited his facility in Newtown Township to host a jam-packed rally.

Not all of those with local ties at the inauguration were Trump supporters during the election.

Freshman Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, who wrote in Mike Pence on election day, attended the festivities in his elected complicity. He issued the following statement:

“Today, I join with millions of Americans – regardless of party affiliation – in celebrating the peaceful transition of power that makes our government of, by and for the people the envy of the world. While there are many unknowns as we transition from one administration to another, it’s important that we focus on what we do know: that the best way to solve problems is to work together, and the only hope of accomplishing great things is to put people before politics. Washington needs independent voices now more than ever, and I am committed to serving as one for the people of Pennsylvania’s Eighth District.”

On Friday, Fitzpatrick’s Capitol Hill office in the Cannon building was a destination for several Trump supporters who received tickets to the free event. The congressman was given less than 200 tickets to distribute to constituents. While tickets were not needed, they afforded a closer view of the ceremony.

Marie W., who didn’t wish to give her last name as she was job hunting before a planned move to New Hope, drove from her current home in Watkins Glen, New York, to see the inauguration, a six-hour drive. The former office administrator said she was a supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders, who ran for President as a Democrat, but ended up voting for Democratic nominee former Sen. Hillary Clinton.

“I liked Bernie and I wished he stayed in, but Clinton was our chance. She was graceful today on stage, and I came down here to see the peaceful transition to President Trump,” she said. “I know we don’t always get what we want and that’s how our electoral system works.”

Former State Rep. Steve Santarsiero, who lost a Democratic bid for congress against Fitzpatrick, said that his wife, daughter and other female family members were taking part in the Women’s March Saturday in Washington D.C. He said peaceful protests play an important role in letting politicians know how the public feels and mentioned directing efforts also at the local level.

“When the marches end, we must take the energy from them and put it into the hard work of organizing and getting good people elected to office. This year alone we have important local races for everything from school board to county row offices. These candidates, when elected, will be the vanguard of positive change at the state and federal level in the years to come,” he said.

Crowd at #WomensMarch now moving past US Capitol pic.twitter.com/dOPrQhAfDq

— David Common (@davidcommon) January 21, 2017

Shannon Walsh lives in the Langhorne section of Middletown and was also taking part in the Women’s March Saturday.

“I’m just distraught over this election and about the people who have been appointed and I need to be active,” Walsh told NewtownPANow.com.

Walsh left with a group from the Langhorne-based Peace Center at 6:30 a.m. Saturday and headed to the nation’s seat.

The Women’s March on Washington is the first major rally or protest that Walsh has been involved in. As with any first time experience, she said she is very excited and a bit nervous.

The cause makes the ride and march worth it for Walsh. The 34 year old explained that she is marching for her kids’ futures and is active in more ways than a single march. She calls Sen. Pat Toomey’s office regularly and wants to get more involved as time goes on.

“I believe that everyone has the right to their own corner of the universe,” Walsh said. By marching, Walsh hopes that she can be the change she wants to see in the world.

“It’s a big way to say: ‘hey, electoral college or not, the majority of the country didn’t want this, and we’re watching.'”

Reporter Erich Martin contributed to this story.