NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Former President Donald Trump is holding a rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday evening, a large-scale push as Election Day looms closer, and the NYPD is preparing security to protect the high-profile attendees and crowds while managing potential protests.
Mayor Eric Adams was joined by his public safety teams at a press conference on Saturday to discuss security, and encouraged the public to get involved if anything seems amiss.
“Security is everyone’s responsibility,” Adams said. “So as we say over and over again, see something, say something, do something, notify the authorities.”
The rally starts at 5 p.m., but security will start being put in place following Saturday night’s New York Rangers game. Five hours before the rally is set to begin, the doors will open to attendees who reserved tickets in advance.
“There will be many protections that you will see, and many that you will not see,” the mayor told reporters.
Multiple checkpoints will surround the venue, and surveillance will be ongoing. Trump will only be seen publicly once he is on stage.
“Of course it would be pretty obvious to anyone who's looking at this as to why,” Deputy NYPD Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism Rebecca Weiner said. “You had two assassination attempts against the former president, the presidential candidate, in the span of eight weeks.”
Public safety officials are not aware of any credible threats to the event.
The NYPD is prepared to field protests that may arise outside of the venue.
“As always, the NYPD will protect everyone’s right to peacefully protest,” interim NYPD Commissioner Thomas Donlon said. “But we will never, never tolerate any violence, property damage or any criminal activity whatsoever. No police department is better equipped, trained to handle these events than the NYPD.”
New Yorkers are encouraged to use public transportation as vehicle flow will be limited and street closures will be in place.
“Subways will remain open,” Adams said. “Best way to get around the city, the best way to get to The Garden, is via the subway.”
The mayor added that officials will be in the subway system helping rally goers exit the transit system at the correct location.
On Sunday, the following roads will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic:
• 33rd Street between 6th Avenue & 8th Avenue
• 32nd Street between 6th Avenue & 7th Avenue
• 31st Street between 6th Avenue & 8th Avenue
• 30th Street between 6th Avenue & 8th Avenue
• 7th Avenue will be closed to pedestrians from 34th Street to 29th Street