GREENVILLE — Tensions were high at Minges Coliseum’s Williams Arena as protestors arrived on the scene, armed with signs and chants criticizing President Donald Trump hours before the rally began.

The Greenville rally attracted supporters and demonstrators alike to the East Carolina University campus Wednesday, including locals on both sides of the political spectrum. For supporters, the rally was a rare opportunity to see a sitting president who fights for their values.

“People love Donald Trump,” North Carolina Rep. Keith Kidwell said. “He’s the president that, exactly as he said last night, ‘Promises made, promises kept.’ This is the first time we’ve seen this from a president of the United States, really, since Ronald Reagan, to any extent.”

The arena parking lot was jam-packed with families supporting their president with red hats and Trump campaign flags. Many attendees were turned away once the stadium reached capacity at 8,000 seats. Still, a sizeable group of people sat in front of the large monitor waiting to hear Trump speak.

“The attendance was phenomenal,” Kidwell said. “The interior was packed and from my understanding there were still thousands of people outside who wanted to get in, and then they sat out there and watched it on the big screen.”

Separated from the main entrance, however, protestors were posted on the side of the arena at ECU, surrounded by caution tape and police officers, and voicing their concerns about the administration. Although there were a few heated exchanges between the two groups, there were no physical disputes.

“I felt very safe,” said Peter Farrell, a Washington resident and member of the Beaufort County Democratic Party. “I think the police did a really good job. When I first saw that the protestors were sort of cornered off to a certain area, I wasn’t real happy about that, but I think it was really the only way that they could separate the groups and decrease the chance of a problem.”

While most supporters watched the large monitor, protestors worked to engage others with debates on politics and values through provoking signs and chants. Although the motivation to attend was different for each protestor, the sentiment was the same: Trump was not welcome.

“What bothers me the most is flagrant disregard of the Constitution and the fact that his only goal is to keep his name in the spotlight,” said Farrell. “That really bothers me and energizes me … and I think that it’s very bad for democracy.”