UPDATE: Wor. Co. NAACP concerned over Trump rally; calls for peace

Just before 6 a.m. Wednesday morning, Ivory Smith, the president of Worcester County’s NAACP branch, released a statement to 47 ABC expressing concerns that the Trump rally may cause some issues in a county that has seen it’s share of racial problems within the past year.

In the statement Smith said the following:

“On behalf of the Worcester County NAACP we believe it was not a great idea for letting Mr. Donald Trump come to Stephen Decatur High School, Wednesday, April 20th 2016. We do understand that it is a public building and he has the right to rent the building; However with all of the racial tension currently going on in Stephen Decatur high school, Worcester county, with the latest voting incident, and with the firing of police Chief Kelvin Sewell. We believe that this is going to just bring more conflict within our county.”

47 ABC caught up with Smith Wednesday afternoon for comment. He says he and other members of his 60-person branch will be present at the rally, promoting peace and freedom of speech during what he says is a touchy time in Worcester county.

“There’s a lot of racial tension, I feel that is in Worcester County. But I hope nothing comes out of this.” Said Smith. “I just hope whoever comes out to the rally, just be peaceful. It’s freedom of speech. You can say whatever but say it in a nice calm way keep your comments to yourself or post it on social media. “

Following his Wednesday night rally Trump will be holding another one on Friday at the Quillen Arena on the Harrington Fairgrounds. That rally is expected to kick off at 3 p.m. with doors opening at noon.