Protesters at Donald Trump’s rally clash with police, 20 arrested | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Protesters at Donald Trump’s rally clash with police, 20 arrested

ByAgencies, Costa Mesa (california)
Apr 29, 2016 04:45 PM IST

Protests at a California rally for Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump reportedly turned violent Thursday, with 20 people arrested after a police car window was smashed and rocks were thrown.

Protests at a California rally for Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump reportedly turned violent Thursday, with 20 people arrested after a police car window was smashed and rocks were thrown.

Police in riot gear arrive to break-up a demonstration outside Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump's campaign rally in Costa Mesa, California.(Reuters Photo)
Police in riot gear arrive to break-up a demonstration outside Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump's campaign rally in Costa Mesa, California.(Reuters Photo)

Hundreds of demonstrators clashed with police outside the Orange County amphitheatre in Costa Mesa during a Trump campaign stopover, which drew a crowd of thousands ahead of the state’s June 7 primary, the Los Angeles Times said.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

At least four people were arrested and one Trump supporter had his face bloodied in a scuffle as he tried to drive out of the arena. One man jumped on a police car, leaving its front and rear windows smashed and the top dented in and other protests sprayed graffiti on a police car and the venue’s marquee.

Dozens of cars -- including those of Trump supporters trying to leave -- were stuck in the street as several hundred demonstrators blocked the road, waved Mexican flags and posed for selfies.

Read: Trump attacks Clinton on gender, risking backlash from women

Police in riot gear and on horseback pushed the crowd back and away from the venue. There were no major injuries.The crowd began dispersing about three hours after the speech ended.

Earlier in the evening, a half-dozen anti-Trump protesters taunted those waiting to get into the venue. Trump supporters surrounded one man who waved a Mexican flag and shouted “Build that wall! Build that wall!” -- a reference to Trump’s call to create a barrier between the United States and Mexico to stop illegal border crossings.

At one point, seven women wearing no shirts and Bernie Sanders stickers over their breasts entered the square outside the amphitheatre. They said they were protesting Trump’s lack of engagement on issues of gender equality and women’s rights.

“I feel like he wants to make America great again, but certainly not for women, for the LBGTQ community or for the lower class,” said one of the women, Tiernan Hebron. “He has, like, done nothing to help with gender equality or women’s rights or reproductive rights or anything.”

Read: Wary world to watch as Donald Trump outlines his foreign policy

Trump has drawn large crowds across the country as he has campaigned for the White House and some of his events have been marred by incidents both inside and outside these venues.

Earlier this week, a Trump rally in nearby Anaheim, California turned contentious when his supporters and counter protestors clashed, leaving several people struck by pepper spray. Trump was not present.

Trump has drawn large crowds to most of his campaign events, and Thursday was no exception. The Pacific Amphitheatre was filled to its capacity of about 18,000 and many hundreds more were turned away.

Ly Kou, 47, of Ontario, said she likes Trump because he has vowed to put the country first.

“It’s obvious that America loves Trump,” said Kou, who is from Laos, as she pointed at the waiting throng. “This thing about him being racist? Look around the crowd.”

Trump was traveling from the rally site to the state’s Republican convention in Burlington in the San Francisco Bay area.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On