There is a crowd

[AirbusA321]

Are both versions OK and which one sounds better?

1 There is a crowd of people gathering to protest against the President outside his Phoenix rally with many so-called social justice warriors among them.

2 There are many protesters who gather outside the President's rally to protest against him with many of them being so-called social justice warriors.

 

[Tdol]

I prefer the first, but would add a comma before with many to both.

 

[GoesStation]

The simple present doesn't work in number 2.