Paula Peterson

  • Trump waves to a group waiting for him at Harrah's. Photo by Robert Petersen.
    Trump waves to a group waiting for him at Harrah’s. Photo by Robert Petersen.
  • Protesters outside the Trump dinner. Photo by STN.
    Protesters outside the Trump dinner. Photo by STN.
  • The parked motorcade. Photo by STN.
    The parked motorcade. Photo by STN.
  • TSA employees were brought in to check purses and bags at dinner. Photo by STN.
    TSA employees were brought in to check purses and bags at dinner. Photo by STN.
  • Douglas County Sheriff's command center. Photo by STN.
    Douglas County Sheriff’s command center. Photo by STN.
  • Donald Trump arriving at Harrahs. Photo by STN.
    Donald Trump arriving at Harrahs. Photo by STN.
  • Protesters getting honks in support. Photo by STN.
    Protesters getting honks in support. Photo by STN.
  • Protesters outside Harrah's Tahoe. Photo by STN.
    Protesters outside Harrah’s Tahoe. Photo by STN.
  • Trump's plane landing at Lake Tahoe Airport. Photo provided by City of SLT.
    Trump’s plane landing at Lake Tahoe Airport. Photo provided by City of SLT.
  • Protesters outside Harrah's Tahoe. Photo by Robert Petersen.
    Protesters outside Harrah’s Tahoe. Photo by Robert Petersen.

Donald Trump and the almost 900 attendees at Friday night’s fundraising dinner at Harrah’s Tahoe most likely didn’t see or hear the protesters outside, but passing cars and pedestrians sure did.

A small group of protesters started standing on the corner of Stateline Avenue and Lake Tahoe Blvd at 5:00 p.m., waiving signs and chanting anti-Trump sentiments. Honks and clapping greeted the group outside, while those inside paid $200 to $500 a person to attend the 2016 Battle Ground Dinner, sponsored by the Nevada Republican Party.

Trump landed with his entourage at Lake Tahoe Airport, greeted by law enforcement vehicles that escorted him down Pioneer Trail, then along back roads to Harrah’s, entering from the Loop Road entrance as the protesters were out by the front entrance. Douglas County Sheriff’s Office had a command center set up near Loop Road as well as dozens of officers inside the casino, at the entrance to the dinner, around the outside perimeter and checking out cars parked along the road Trump’s motorcade took. The Secret Service was also present as well as the California Highway Patrol special escorts.

No media was allowed inside the event. Trump stayed long enough to speak, then his motorcade quickly took him back to the airport. South Lake Tahoe Police and El Dorado County Sheriff’s vehicles were parked along the route.

Trump spoke Friday morning in Las Vegas and flew out to a Saturday engagement.