by Staff Report
NEW LONDON, CT — Members of the grassroots movement Indivisible are planning a nonviolent, non-confrontational protest for the day President Donald Trump is coming to Connecticut.
Trump is expected to give the keynote address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduation on Wednesday, May 20. Commencement exercises are set to start at 11 a.m.
The president is expected to congratulate the cadets on their hard work and dedication, according to a news release. The commencement will not be open to the public.
A protest is planned from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at McKinley Park on Williams Street between Crystal Avenue and Mohegan Avenue Parkway in New London, organizers said, stressing that the event is meant to be peaceful.
“We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values,” Indivisible said in its event listing.
The park is near the main gate of the Coast Guard Academy. Several parking restrictions in the area will be in place on the day of commencement starting as early as 5 a.m., according to New London police.
Riverside Park will be closed to the public for the day, but McKinley Park and a grass parcel on Williams Street will be open for the public to gather, police said.
“Individuals will not be permitted to congregate past the main gate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy,” New London police said in a social media post.
Plans are for the commencement to be at Cadet Memorial Field, but inclement weather will move it indoors to the Leamy Hall Auditorium. About 260 cadets are expected to graduate, and those who wish to view the ceremony online can do sovia a YouTube live stream.
Trump previously spoke at the Coast Guard graduation in 2017. Last year’s keynote speaker was then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
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