Horns blared from car after car as they drove through the intersection, triggering a wave of screams.
MIDDLETOWN - Chanting "USA! USA! USA," a crowd of about 150 men, women and some children rallied at an intersection on Rt. 35 on a frigid, blustery afternoon in support of President Donald Trump Saturday.
In response to the cheers, drivers blared their horns in support, triggering waves of screams.
The crowd, holding Trump signs and waving American flags, gathered outside the ShopRite Plaza at noon in conjunction with nationwide rallies organized by the Main Street Patriots, a conservative activist group started by one of the grassroots organizers of the Tea Party rallies.
About 150 bundled up, braved the cold to show their support for @realDonaldTrump in Middletown as part of nationwide demonstrations pic.twitter.com/x4DnzqNP61
-- Craig McCarthy (@createcraig) March 4, 2017
"We are the silent majority," said Diane Simpson, of Leonardo. "We are people that normally don't demonstrate, but when we have to, we can."
Steven Foose, of Middletown, who said he has been a staunch supporter of Gov. Christie's policies, said Trump had his vote of confidence.
"Trump is making the hard choices," he said.
Saturday's "March 4 Trump" demonstrations were also intended to show unity in the face of what organizers call "a seditious fringe" aiming to sabotage President Donald Trump's vision for the country.
A couple hundred supporters gathered in New York near Trump Tower, chanting "U-S-A." One held a sign reading: "I am not a Democrat anymore." Another read: "Yes he is our president."
Trump supporters have held more rallies in recent weeks in to counter demonstrations that have been held in recent weeks against his policies, including the massive Women's March the day after the inauguration.
In Middletown, there was a brief heated exchange between anti-Trump protestors who walked past the rally line.
A man on a bullhorn, who declined to give his name, told the crowd not to engage with the anti-Trump demonstrators.
Otherwise, Middletown officers said the rally, which ran from 12 to 2 p.m., was without incident.
Middletown resident Jim Niedermaier said he was encouraged to come out because of Trump's promise to bring back blue-collar jobs to the United States. "He's like Reagan was in the 80's. If we don't do what we have to do to keep the factories open, we're going to be the poorest country in the world," he said.
"I support Donald Trump, and why not? " said Katherine Kizun, od Middletown. "I like to see the young people here in support."
Things briefly became heated when anti-Trump demonstrators walked passed pro-Trump rally. Police escorted the two otherwise quiet pic.twitter.com/d0Ll9LJmcC
-- Craig McCarthy (@createcraig) March 4, 2017
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.