Updated; 10/9/2026 5:29
Protest coordinators anticipated being at Clinton Square well past 8 p.m.
Local partner Evan Fay interviewed Bruce Blakeman - the GOP’s pick to run against incumbent Kathy Hochul for New York Governor. He was critical of Hochul, but also of Trump’s ICE agents who recently held two roofers in a standoff on top of a house in Oswego.
Updated; 10/9/2026 5:00
Protestors gathered at Clinton Square to oppose President Trump’s arrival in Syracuse. CNY Solidarity Board member Peter McCarthy estimated more than five thousand people will show to protest President Trump’s visit to the OnCenter.
For perspective, the last “No Kings” rally in Syracuse grew to almost 10,000 people. That was without President Trump in town.
Everyone here is being instructed to demonstrate peacefully, as rally-goers fill the space.
At the OnCenter, a couple hundred people started filing through the doors at about 3 p.m.
Unless you were a member of the Republican Party, you had to register online to get a free ticket to the event, which holds about 1,500 seats.
There were Facebook and Instagram posts stating that many of the tickets were ordered by individuals who never intended to show. In the past, the GOP has thwarted that by approving tickets well over the venue’s capacity in case that happens.
It’s worth noting that WAER was denied press access to the Trump rally, as were Syracuse University’s newsrooms.
Trump is in town stumping for Republican Bruce Blakeman, who is challenging New York Governor Kathy Hochul for her seat. Kailee Buller is also on the Republican ticket as a challenger running against incumbent John Mannion for the 22nd district Congressional seat. She’s expected to take center stage around 6 p.m., which is seen as a big endorsement by her party.
Jack Watson contributed to this story.
