BEDMINSTER, NJ – A group of Donald J. Trump supporters who line up outside the former President’s Bedminster Golf Course to cheer him on when he visits New Jersey has been told if they continue to do so, they will be fined by the local police department.
Terry Beck, a diehard Trump supporter who organizes the political support gatherings for the former President’s visits said tonight, that Bedminster Township Attorney John Belardo threatened Beck and her fellow supporters in a formal cease and desist letter.
Beck was planning gatherings on September 23rd and October 7th on a township-owned right of way on the sidewalk at the intersection of Route 206 and Lamington Road.
“Immediately cease and desist from engaging in such activity going forward,” Belardo said in the letter.
Beck said she feels the letter is a violation of her First Amendment right to assemble on public property, but the township attorney says it’s against the law. Belardo acknowledged beck hosts her ‘rallies’ on a public sidewalk, but said those sidewalks are for ‘passive recreation’ only, not for exercising First Amendment rights.
“Because your group’s use of the property does not fall within the definition of passive recreation activity, continued political rallies jeopardize the township’s right to a continued right in the easement,” he added. “Immediately cease and desist.”
He said showing support at the corner for the former President was, “Disturbing the comfort, rest, repose and quality of life of the numerous residents who live next to the SFC property. That property is en route to the Trump Bedminster Golf Course located blocks away.
During the rallies for Trump, the town attorney said people drive up and down the road, ‘playing exceedingly loud amplified music’ in violation of the township noise ordinance.
The Bedminster Police Department, according to Belardo, will start issuing court summonses and tickets to those who ignore the order.
Beck said she is disappointed in the threatening legal notice, saying she has organized rallies there for five years and has complied with all recommendations and requests by the township and police department. She said she will fight the order, but asked her fellow supporters to abide by the order until it is resolved.