Supporters, Protesters And Police Prepare for Donald Trump's Dallas Visit
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DALLAS (CBSDFW) - Donald Trump will celebrate a milestone in Dallas Thursday.
It was one year ago, he launched his run for the White House.
Perhaps no one expected he would become the presumptive Republican nominee.
As many as 4,000 supporters will see Trump up close inside Gilley's for Thursday's rally at 7:00 p.m.
Doors open at 4:00 p.m.
Outside, organizers say as many as two thousand protestors will demonstrate against the real estate mogul.
Preparing for the worst, hundreds of Dallas police officers assembled at Fair Park Wednesday for a refresher course in crowd control.
Police wouldn't discuss their specific plans but they acknowledge they're holding the exercise because of the presidential campaigns are in full swing.
Trump supporter Barbara Tomasino says she's excited about seeing Trump, but after watching some of Trump's supporters coming under attack in other states, she's worried. "I'm very concerned about this, but I still want to go to the rally."
But Dallas Deputy Police Chief Jeff Cotner says he's confident the event here will run smoothly. "Our job is to make it peaceful and be prepared in case it's not peaceful. We're focusing on the peaceful part. We're optimistic it will be peaceful."
At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, protest organizers insist the 2,000 people expected at Trump's rally want their message against Trump to be peaceful.
Protest organizer Domingo Garcia says, "We are asking everyone who comes to dress in white for peace. Because this is going to be a peaceful protest. We are asking people to bring American flags only. This is about America and what the Statue of Liberty stands for."
As for Barbara Tomasino, she's going to be sending a message of her own while wearing one of these dresses she's made to Trump's rally.
She's worn them at Trump's previous rallies in North Texas. "I like to make people laugh and so everyone laughs over the dress. They thought it was a great idea."
Because of the protestors, police warn the traffic along South Lamar near Cadiz could be disrupted.
Before Trump's rally, he will hold a fundraiser at a Dallas hotel.
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