‘Ridin’ with Biden’ event in Fort Myers counters Trump’s visit

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A couple of dozen drivers lined the parking lot of Royal Palm Square in Fort Myers, showcasing their pick for president with flags and signs. (Credit: WINK News)

At the same time that President Donald Trump was on his way to downtown Fort Myers, a separate organization supporting Democratic candidate Joe Biden held its own event.

The “Ridin’ with Biden” event also focused on seniors, just as Trump’s event at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center did.

Biden’s supporters said they wanted to send a clear message to the president.

“Our only goal is to draw attention to Democrats. Everybody doesn’t think we’re here but we are here,” said Wally Hedman, the event organizer.

A couple of dozen drivers lined the parking lot of Royal Palm Square in Fort Myers, showcasing their pick for president with flags and signs. The caravan headed downtown, horns honking as they arrived.

“We got our Biden flag and put it up right away and decorated this morning with my sister. And it gave me a lot of pride in our neighborhood because, believe it or not, we had a few people walk by and say ‘go Biden’,” said Allie Oberlin of Cape Coral.

The president came Friday to talk about issues facing Southwest Florida seniors. Biden’s supporters called that hypocritical.

“If he really did care about seniors, he would have embraced anything to lessen the impact of this COVID virus on everybody, but particularly those over 65,” said Tish Ferrazi of Fort Myers.

Their message to the president:

“Seniors are not a homogenous group. And they’re not all, there’s a lot of us that are not Trump supporters,” Ferrazi said.

“I think it’s turning in my head we might have a massive chance in this county of pulling through for him,” Oberlin said.

The event organizer said Friday’s display is a signal to other Biden supporters in both parties that they’re not alone.

“Ridin’ with Biden” also served as a Get Out the Vote event.

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