Pence visit to Wilkinsburg church draws supporters, opponents

America’s political divide was on stark display Friday in Wilkinsburg.

Two groups showed up near the Convenant Church of Pittsburgh’s worship center to see Vice President Mike Pence’s arrival there.

One group wore masks. The other didn’t.

One group described President Trump and Pence as representative of the “American dream.” The other said they were a living nightmare.

“I support President Trump and Vice President Pence,” said a maskless Rick Carlins of Wharton Township, Fayette County. “They’re just trying to keep the American dream alive. Trump is one of the common people. He’s one of us.”

Paul Heckbert of Edgewood, who wore a mask, expressed a different opinion.

“I don’t like Trump or Pence,” he said. “We need to remove them from office. They’re doing terrible damage to our country. Trump is a disaster and Pence is his enabler.”

Pence arrived in Wilkinsburg around 11:30 a.m. for a discussion with local church leaders. He was scheduled to make two other stops while in Western Pennsylvania, first at David’s Diner in Springdale Township and then at an Oberg Industries facility in Buffalo Township. The latter stop was the first one on a nationwide “Great American Comeback Tour” organized by America First Policies. The conservative organization promotes Trump’s presidential campaign policy agenda.

In Wilkinsburg, police and Secret Service agents blocked Andrew Drive leading to the church and permitted only invited guests to enter the church parking lot.

Wesley Stout of Monroeville, whose father-in-law Bishop Joseph Garlington is church pastor, said the church can hold about 1,000 people. A much smaller group of staff and local church leaders was there to talk with Pence.

“They wanted to keep the numbers safe, so I figured I’d work outside and help out,” he said. “I’m not sure what the conversation is going to be, but I’m sure racism and the role the church is going to play will be part of it.”

The two groups outside, each numbering less than 20, maintained a polite distance with the anti-Trump contingent standing at the entrance to Andrew and supporters closer to the church. Members of both groups carried signs that displayed their divergent views.

“President Trump clearly loves this country, even the people who are against him,” said Sandy O’Toole of Forest Hills. “He is working for the betterment of this nation, and he has done a tremendous job. I vote according to the Bible, and President Trump and Vice President Pence represent my Christian values.”

Meghan Debo of Wilkinsburg said Trump failed the nation through inaction during the coronavirus pandemic and racial unrest raging across the country following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.

“This administration is ignoring the people of our country right now,” she said.