AP Photo by Charles Rex Arbogast
Republican front runner Donald Trump had to postpone a rally in Chicago as a wave of protesters let their collective frustration be heard.
According to multiple reports, Trump postponed the event as hundreds of protesters surrounded the venue. The Associated Press reported that “a large portion of the crowd inside the University of Illinois at Chicago Pavilion broke out into raucous cheers. Meanwhile, supporters of the candidate started chanting ‘We want Trump! We want Trump!'”
A Trump spokesperson had to come out on stage to announce that the event would be postponed fearing for the inevitable chaos.
The event was dominated by small scrummages between protesters and supporters. Black, white, males and females were engaged in physical attacks against one another.
The protesters consisted of Blacks, Hispanics, Muslims and many more groups that has been targeted by Trump’s supporters and subjects of his dangerous rhetoric. These groups of people are routinely kicked out and assaulted at Trump rallies —but today was different. Since early evening their numbers grew and Chicago police began to remove protesters out of the venue one -by -one and within three hours the rally was postponed.
Trump said that Chicago police officials told him to cancel the event but CPD denies that.
Video shows some of the physical altercations:
Words matter, @realDonaldTrump #TrumpRally https://t.co/kn3ZQkIENZ
— Very Serious People™ (@TheXclass) March 12, 2016
"@HoneyGuwop: Most powerful video I have of tonight! ✊?✊?✊?✊? #TrumpRally pic.twitter.com/mXGt3mc9qs" – We Gon Be Alrite.
— amy juicebox (@amyjuicebox) March 12, 2016
"Donald Trump is responsible for his own rhetoric" Marco Rubio to @DonLemon on #TrumpRally https://t.co/AmDkTqPx2J https://t.co/1N2hwzm7Nk
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) March 12, 2016
#trumprally here you go the @GOP front runner @FoxNews @KatrinaPierson pic.twitter.com/b6yw0eJeP3
— Lauren Victoria (@LVBurke) March 12, 2016
Inside the shutdown #TrumpRally pic.twitter.com/rR5lIFRbNl
— natalie solidarity (@constantnatalie) March 12, 2016
PANDEMONIUM IN #TRUMPRALLY pic.twitter.com/BrkRmYyMDE
— natalie solidarity (@constantnatalie) March 12, 2016
Here's a Trump supporter and a protester having an open/honest convo. @DNAinfoCHI pic.twitter.com/fvbVvu1XJv
— Evan F. Moore (@evanFmoore) March 12, 2016
Outrage on Twitter grew as many users showed solidarity for the protesters:
Mass arrest cards & zip ties littering street in front of #TrumpRally pic.twitter.com/Te5TeViZFn
— natalie solidarity (@constantnatalie) March 12, 2016
Horse cops #TrumpRally pic.twitter.com/h1WYJFIGvY
— natalie solidarity (@constantnatalie) March 11, 2016
Trump rally-goers react to news that the event was cancelled. #TrumpRally pic.twitter.com/9BHoLHj1zn
— Dr. JP, Self-Helpist (@JPHaddadio) March 12, 2016
Twitter is being overrun by conservatives who have never read the Constitution but are somehow experts on the First Amendment.#TrumpRally
— Charles Clymer (@cmclymer) March 12, 2016
Trump:
-Violence from his supporters: "They love America. Have great passion."
-Anti-Trump Protestors: "They're very angry."#TrumpRally
— Khaled Beydoun (@KhaledBeydoun) March 12, 2016
Liberals? Oh you mean Americans?
You better change your tone. We're not your employees. #TrumpRally https://t.co/mzQdfR3ZBq
— Jonathan Jewel (@JonathanJewel) March 12, 2016
The First Ammendment limits the GOVERNMENT not civilian protestors. No free speech rights have been violated. #TrumpRally #TrumpRallyChi
— D (@Delo_Taylor) March 12, 2016
Massive "Bernie" chants at #trumprally. pic.twitter.com/aBZS44FOAt
— Tina Sfondeles (@TinaSfon) March 12, 2016
Shout out to our white brothers & sisters who protest for us. You help to STOP RACISM against minorities. We salute you. #TrumpRally
— Renee M (@theladysmiles) March 12, 2016
Only thing wrong with the protests at #Trumprally is that they didn't happen sooner.
— John Lurie (@lurie_john) March 12, 2016
In the aftermath of the various melees, five people were arrested and two injured according to reports out of Chicago.
