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Both Trump supporters and protesters face vandalism at Connecticut homes

EAST HADDAM — We know that some people support President-elect Donald Trump, while others are protesting that he’s not their president, but some loc...
trump-signs-vandalized

EAST HADDAM -- We know that some people support President-elect Donald Trump, while others are protesting that he's not their president, but some local people have taken to vandalizing demonstrations from both sides.

In East Haddam, two local women posted a sign that read "Dear Muslims, immigrants, women, disabled, LGBTQ+ folks & all people of color. We Love you boldly & proudly. We will endure." It was put up at the intersection of William F. Palmer Road and Route 149 in the Moodus section of town.

Both Trump supporters and protesters face vandalism at Connecticut homes

However, someone vandalized the sign, spray painting "Trump 2016" over the words. A second sign was torn down.

Now, the women, Theresa Govert and her partner, are organizing a peaceful rally called "Together we make America great again" -- a combination of Trump's and Hillary Clinton's campaign slogans.

"We're really disappointed to see that they put Trump's name across the sign because we're moving forward, we have our president-elect. In his speech he called for unity and healing together, as a nation, and that's what we were trying to do also," Govert told FOX 61.

The "community conversation" will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 13 at Two Wrasslin Cats on Town Street in East Haddam.

Meanwhile, Trump supporter Joe Visconti, who ran for governor in 2014 but lost to Gov. Dan Malloy, had signs in his West Hartford yard vandalized as well.

Both Trump supporters and protesters face vandalism at Connecticut homes

Someone went into his yard and taped messages to his "Trump-Pence" signs saying things like "Make America for white men only," "Racist" and "Divided."

Someone went into Joe Visconti’s yard and pasted hand-printed signs on his Trump-Pence signs that say "Disrespects veterans," "Make America for white men only, "Misogyny," and "Racist."

Visconti says he's had his signs broken, stolen, ripped and smashed up violently in the past, but that this was different.

"Someone took the time to buy placards and markers and really make a statement on my lawn and my property."

And while Visconti does sympathize with the vandals--he wasn't happy when President Obama won and had fought as a member of the Tea Party against him--he says this is not the way.

"I understand free speech, but this is overboard," he said. "I believe in freedom of speech and public displays of not liking the candidate, but if people want to go on property, be violent, smash things, that's not the message, that's not Ameica."

His message to the vandals? "Always be vocal, but be tolerant and do your actions legally."

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