By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – After a long 17-hour trip to the nation’s capital, a bus full of President Trump’s supporters are on their way back home to Central Illinois.

The group of 49 demonstrators left Normal Tuesday afternoon at 4:00. One of the organizers, David Paul Blumenshine, said they arrived about 9:00 AM Wednesday in time to attend the ‘Stop the Steal’ rally. While Blumenshine said their group was involved in only peaceful demonstrations away from the Capitol building, a breach at the Capitol grabbed the attention of the nation.

“Nobody condones violence…today was all about, President trump said within his speech to the people three or four times, peaceful protest,” explained Blumenshine. He added that he didn’t personally see any unrest, violence, fighting, or rioting. But he did say he didn’t have enough information yet to determine whether those who entered the Capitol building entered forcefully or were let in peacefully.

Despite the incident at the Capitol this group felt the trip was a successful one. “I’m pretty certain that the 49 people sitting on this bus want what’s best for America, and that’s why we went. So it’s ya, I feel very proud, patriotic. It was a once in a lifetime experience,” said Blumenshine.

The group from Central Illinois is expected to return to Normal by 9:00 AM on Thursday after a nearly 40-hour roundtrip.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected].