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They began to assemble at the southeast corner of Munn Park at 10 a.m. Saturday as the Farmers Curb Market was in full swing up and down adjoining North Kentucky Avenue — in red-white-and-blue outfits, red MAGA hats and T-shirts extolling freedom; carrying American flags and in one case a huge DOGE banner celebrating Elon Musk and President Donald Trump.
They heeded a call to come to defend Kaitlin Bennett, a Catholic, pro-Trump YouTube influencer.
Bennett had been at the crowded market on May 17 conducting interviews with a whiteboard quiz, asking people whether they agreed or disagreed that “Trump is an obvious racist,” “Men can get pregnant,” Illegal immigrants deserve deportation,” “We would be better off had Kamala won” and “White people harm America.”
She later posted some of the results with the title, “Democrat HOT Takes! Here’s How They Really Feel.”
On May 17, Bennett encountered Julie Townsend, the executive director of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority (LDDA).
The market is owned and operated by the LDDA.
(The LDDA is also a sponsor of LkldNow. Its donors and sponsors have no role in editorial decisions.)
Townsend asked Bennett to move out of the street. Lakeland Police officers came and said that, at the behest of the LDDA, they were issuing Bennett a trespass warning.
Bennett made a video about that, too, entitled “Democrats Get Cops to BAN Me From Farmers Market.”
On this Saturday, May 24, Bennett’s defenders came with signs stating “Fire LDDA Director” and “LDDA Violates 1st Amendment.”
They heard from a Pentecostal speaker who wore a red T-shirt with a bald eagle on the back with the legends “Christ Has Made Us Free” and “Absolute Freedom.”
“Free speech is a God-given right,” he said, emphasizing “God.”
Bennett eventually made her way to the park, wearing a T-shirt that said “Make Deportation Great Again,” to applause.
She was celebrating a victory, she said.
“We’re not protesting anything.”
With that, Bennett led her defenders on a walk through the market, along with her videographer, right down the middle of North Kentucky Avenue with the other market-goers.
Kaitilin Bennett, center, talks with fans at Munn Park Saturday, May 24 | Robert Meyerowitz, LkldNow 
Attendees at a rally at Munn Park Saturday, May 24 | Robert Meyerowitz, LkldNow 
Attendees at a rally at Munn Park Saturday, May 24 | Robert Meyerowitz, LkldNow 
Kaitlin Bennett, left, talks with attendees at a rally at Munn Park, Saturday, May 24 | Robert Meyerowitz, LkldNow 
Attendees at a rally at Munn Park Saturday, May 24 | Robert Meyerowitz, LkldNow
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Mission accomplished. Long ago.
Fair article, considering LDDA is LklndNow sponsor. I believe the director is going to eat her words re: Kaitlin’s supposed “has-been” ‘status.’ Bennett is OG YouTube and ONLY has been pregnant, raising a family and certainly not casting aspersions like the cough director. Also, is there something wrong with emphasizing “God” by a Pentecostal pastor? It’s probably a requirement. The lingering ‘d’ “DUH” sound that some make is what REALLY offends!