Protesters attack Trump supporters outside San Jose rally
A group of protesters attacked Donald Trump supporters who were leaving the presidential candidate’s rally in San Jose on Thursday night. A dozen or more people were punched. At least four people were detained.
Bottles were thrown, hats went up in flames and one Donald Trump supporter took raw eggs to the face when violence broke out during a protest outside the Republican candidate’s rally in San Jose.
Hundreds of demonstrators marched for hours around the McEnery Convention Center, where Trump spoke in front of thousands. The crowd grew unruly throughout the night and started several confrontations with Trump supporters.
About a dozen fights broke out amid the crowd, the Associated Press reported. Videos and photographs from outside the rally captured protesters fighting with supporters, burning hats and ripping up Trump banners. One woman was “taunted” by protesters and hit in the face with raw eggs.
Another was hit with what appears to be a bag, leaving his ear bloodied.
Woman who supports Trump surrounded by protesters, who taunt her, then throw eggs and bottles at her. pic.twitter.com/nHJ3cgYOfR
— Jacob Rascon (@Jacobnbc) June 3, 2016
NOW: #Trump supporter attacked and left bleeding in San Jose pic.twitter.com/kC2GVz9JcZ
— Tim Pool (@Timcast) June 3, 2016
An officer was assaulted outside the event, San Jose Sgt. Enrique Garcia said in an email. Police made “a few” arrests after the rally, but Garcia did not say how many were detained or give other information.
San Jose police shut down streets surrounding the convention center to vehicular and foot traffic ahead of Trump’s event. In a statement, Chief Eddie Garcia said, “we will do everything possible to protect the First Amendment, those attending, our Community, and our Officers.”
Police declared the demonstration an unlawful assembly 30 minutes after the Trump rally ended, around 8:30 p.m. PST/11:30 p.m. ET. Officers wearing tactical gear were seen guarding the convention center and blocking protesters.
Nearly an hour after the Trump rally ended, police brought out a megaphone and told the demonstrators to leave or face arrest.
According to a tweet from NBC News’ Jacob Rascon, one protester yelled back, “we don’t follow the law.”
In the hours since the protests unfolded, both officials from Democratic presidential campaigns condemned the violent confrontations by protesters. John Podesta, chair of Hillary for America, and Mike Casca, rapid response director for Bernie Sanders, both spoke out against the scuffles on Twitter.
Violence against supporters of any candidate has no place in this election.
https://t.co/PY4vYYszVf— John Podesta (@johnpodesta) June 3, 2016
we cannot stop trump's violent rhetoric with violence – only peaceful protest in a voting booth can do that. https://t.co/o82lIVNqcB
— mike casca (@cascamike) June 3, 2016
Inside the rally, Trump was heckled by a protester in the crowd. Trump told the crowd not to worry about it.
“Let him enjoy himself…we need our protesters,” he added. “We’ve got to be nice.”
This message runs contrary to what Trump has said at previous rallies, including one in November when attendees kicked a Black Lives Matter activist (Trump said, “Maybe he should have been roughed up.”)
This time, Trump told the crowd, “I’ve learned. Don’t hurt him.”
