What you need to know about Trump's Des Moines rally
Katie AkinHere are some key facts to know about President Donald Trump's rally today at Drake University's Knapp Center.
When: Trump is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 3 p.m. Free tickets are available online. However, be aware that at other Trump rallies, more tickets have been issued than seats available, so admittance was first-come, first-served.
Street closures: Several streets around the Knapp Center will be closed before and during the event. Forest Avenue, the thoroughfare the Knapp Center faces, shut down at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Sections of Clark Street and 25th and 27th streets, the other roads bounding the center, will be closed at some point today.
Watch live:President Trump's rally in Des Moines at 7 p.m. Thursday
Parking: Two parking lots on the Drake campus are available for rallygoers: Lot 1, at the intersection of 24th and Carpenter streets, and Lot 29, at the intersection of University Avenue and 29th Street. Both are free. There is street parking around the campus, but it is limited.
More coverage of Trump visit:
- Donald Trump plans big show of GOP force in Iowa ahead of pivotal impeachment trial day
- Presidential visits can cost cities thousands. But Des Moines won’t be sending Donald Trump the bill
- More than a day before he arrives, President Trump's supporters are already waiting outside for him in Des Moines
- What the Iowa Poll says about how Iowans feel about President Trump, impeachment
What not to bring: Because of security concerns, there is a long list of banned items:
- Aerosols
- Ammunition
- Animals other than service/guide animals
- Backpacks
- Bags and signs exceeding size restrictions
- Bicycles
- Balloons
- Coolers
- Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems
- Explosives
- Firearms
- Glass, thermal or metal containers
- Laser pointers
- Mace/pepper spray
- Packages
- Selfie sticks
- Structures
- Signs exceeding size restrictions (banners measuring up to 20 feet by 3 feet by 1/4 inch are permitted)
- Supports for signs and placards
- Toy guns
- Explosives
- Recreational motorized mobility devices
- Weapons of any kind
Protests: Groups including the League of United Latin American Citizens in Des Moines announced they will gather at 6:45 p.m. across 25th Street from the Knapp Center to protest, then convene at 7 p.m. in the nearby Patty and Fred Turner Jazz Center for a rally. The groups emphasized that the event will be peaceful and urged participants not to engage with Trump supporters.
More:Trump officials and backers to flood Iowa on Caucus Day
Katie Akin is a politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at kakin@registermedia.com or at 515-284-8041. Follow her on Twitter at @katie_akin.
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