Full Notification

BURLINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
January 6th, 2016
DONALD TRUMP RALLY AT THE FLYNN CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Donald Trump, candidate for the Republican nomination for president, is scheduled to speak at the Flynn Center for the Arts at 7:00 PM on Thursday, January 7th, 2016. As a candidate for elected office, the Burlington Police Department welcomes him to our city. We are working diligently with our local and federal partners to ensure a safe visit for Mr. Trump, those who are attending his event, and all other participants in the democratic process.

It is important for people intending to participate in the rally at the Flynn Center to note that it seats approximately 1,400 people. As of the evening of January 5th, the Trump campaign has informed the police department that it has issued nearly 20,000 free tickets to the event, and that at least 6,500 of those people have confirmed a desire to attend using a valid, verifiable email address. For fire and general safety reasons, the city’s Fire Marshal and the US Secret Service will impose strict attendance limits in conformance with the Flynn’s occupancy specifications. Persons in line or arriving at the center after maximum capacity is reached will be turned away. There will be no late seating.

It is common for event planners to over-issue tickets to political rallies to compensate for efforts by a candidate’s detractors to reserve seats and then leave them empty. The Flynn Center reports that they have played no role in the ticketing process, to include the number of tickets issued. Please direct ticketing inquires to the Donald Trump campaign.

The Burlington Police Department, and the city generally, welcomes everyone who wishes to take part in the democratic process. All people who intend to visit Burlington on the 7th are welcome in this vein, and the city is proud to host them not only at the Flynn, but on its streets, in its civic spaces, and at places of business. Visitors should understand, however, that, if the information we have proves accurate, there is a likelihood that they will be unable to enter the Flynn Theater to attend Mr. Trump’s event, and that there will likely be protests, demonstrations and rallies from different political perspectives in the city’s public spaces.

Persons entering or leaving the downtown area from the mid-afternoon onward can expect significant travel delays and an acute scarcity of parking. Visitors are encouraged to arrive by public transportation, foot or bicycle and to use parking garages and lots throughout the city.

Parking restrictions will be in place in the environs of the Flynn Center and will be disclosed separately. There will also be temporary restrictions to vehicular and foot traffic in certain areas of downtown in order to ensure a safe event and to provide persons exercising their First Amendment rights an opportunity to do so in close sight and sound of the Flynn Center.

The Burlington Police Department does not endorse candidates for political office, nor has its rank and file union, and does not comment on electoral politics. We reserve the prerogative to enforce the law in cases where expression or free movement throughout the city is unreasonably stifled through intimidation, force, obstruction, destruction of property, etc., or any other unlawful act. This especially applies to obstructing vehicular and pedestrian traffic with this intention and applies all persons regardless of their political beliefs or affiliations. The department proudly protects and serves everyone within the city’s borders.