Supporters of Donald Trump and anti-Trump protesters clashed on Friday prior to the leading GOP presidential candidate’s rally in Chicago on Friday night. The massive chaos erupted in violence at times and caused Trump’s 7 p.m. rally to be canceled due to “security concerns” from the enraged protesters.
#TrumpRally cancelled; Protest continues outside Chicago venue. Live look from overhead https://t.co/XC5zfIk1wf pic.twitter.com/XDaabhdeDl
— WGN TV News (@WGNNews) March 12, 2016
Trump’s campaign released a statement: “Mr. Trump just arrived in Chicago and after meeting with law enforcement has determined that for the safety of all of the tens of thousands of people who have gathered in and around the arena, tonight’s rally will be postponed to another date.”
https://twitter.com/search?f=images&vertical=news&q=trump%20campaign&src=typd
Donald Trump never got the chance to step forth to the podium at the University of Illinois at Chicago pavilion due to the unbridled bedlam.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgDZ12CrBRc
Trump told MSNBC in a telephone interview on Friday night, “I just don’t want to see people hurt. We can come back and do it another time.”
A lot of protestors are outside the parking lot at UIC pavilion now pic.twitter.com/rovv8TlVkt
— Jessyca Malina (@jessycamalina) March 12, 2016
Protesters were allegedly mostly made up of Black Lives Matter members and Bernie Sanders supporters.
Inside the building, anti-Trump protesters shouted “We stopped Trump!”
"We stopped Trump!" is the chant now at his canceled rally in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/85BjxfyjS2
— Bill Ruthhart (@BillRuthhart) March 12, 2016
Conversely, Trump supporters chanted, “Trump! Trump!” and “U-S-A! U-S-A!”
Several brawls broke out on Friday night.
Trump protestors are left bloodied at Chicago rally, but Trump says it's good for "the vote" https://t.co/ksYikbBDyihttps://t.co/fw5VFYAmhR
— Intl. Business Times (@IBTimes) March 12, 2016
DEVELOPING: Altercations break out after Trump rally in Chicago postponed due to safety concerns – via @MSNBC https://t.co/GEQ4myZ5AW
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) March 12, 2016
Another violent incident here pic.twitter.com/8bebPMSeRK
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) March 12, 2016
UPDATE: @realDonaldTrump cancels Chicago #TrumpRally after protesters overwhelm the event https://t.co/oAt9cO5yZI pic.twitter.com/bWTi12JNnr
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 12, 2016
The “United” States of America everybody.
I will say this, you are free to protest and demonstrate outside a rally. However, just because your ideas differ than somebody else’s, it does not give you the right to stifle another person’s First Amendment right to free speech and take a fascist method of silencing your enemies.