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Our 9 month series, New Hampshire's Immigration Story explored just that... the vast history of who came to New Hampshire, when they came, why they came, the challenges they faced once they landed on Granite State soil and the contributions that they brought to our state. The Exchange, Word of Mouth, and our News Department looked at the issue of immigration from its first arrivals to the newest refugees calling New Hampshire home.We saw how immigration affects our economy, health care, education system, culture and our current system of law. We also looked at what's going on in New Hampshire today, as we uncovered the groups, societies and little known people who are making an impact all over the state.Funding for NH's Immigration Story is brought to you in part by: New Hampshire Humanities Council, Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation, The Gertrude Couch Trust0000017a-15d9-d736-a57f-17ff89e10000

Trump Makes Plea To Blacks And Hispanics During Manchester Rally

Emily Corwin
/
NHPR

The Radisson ballroom was not yet full, and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump would not arrive for almost an hour. Already, the crowd chanted, “lock her up.” Peter Vincello from Raymond was on his way in, with his 15 year-old son.

“He kinda talked me into it. I was actually supporting Cruz in the primary.” But now, Vincello said, “He says all the right things, second amendment, getting the economy back, law and order.”

As the rally got underway, Donald Trump did not veer from his script after his former Republican primary rival, Ben Carson, introduced him to a cheering crowd.

Trump won New Hampshire's primary in February by a wide margin – as did Bernie Sanders. But today, in New Hampshire, Trump is trailing Hillary Clinton in the polls. And Thursday afternoon, Trump directed blow after blow to one person only:  his rival, Hillary Clinton. Trump went after Clinton’s honesty, and her effectiveness in office. He brought up her pricey speeches and the private email server.

But when the crowd chanted “lock her up,” Trump tried something new. “Let’s just WIN on November 8th,” he said.

The same day as Trump’s rally in Manchester, Clinton delivered a speech in Nevada, accusing Trump of “taking hate groups mainstream.”

To the largely Caucasian crowd in Manchester, Trump argued many times over that he, not Clinton, is the candidate who will do the most for communities of color, saying “this is the year that the people that have been betrayed by Democratic policies including millions and millions of African-American and Hispanic-American citizens reject the politicians that have failed them over and over and over again.”

That message seemed to resonate with one fan bedecked with Trump paraphernalia, Erika DeBenedictis.

"I think it’s all about inclusion, I love his message,” she said, “I think he’s not a divider, I think he’s unfairly portrayed, I feel very positive about him staying on message. Yeah, Trump!” she added, ecstatically.  

A year ago in the Primary, Trump characterized most Mexican immigrants as “drug dealers” and “rapists.” Seventy-four days from the general election, Donald Trump recast that message on immigration

“If you want to have strong borders so people come into our country, but they come in legally through a legal process, that doesn’t make you a racist, that makes you smart,” he said.

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