There were ugly clashes in California on Friday as thousands of pro- and anti-Donald Trump demonstrators faced off outside rallies for the tycoon.
Authorities said 12 people were arrested, including one for trying to climb a railing, in San Diego - 17 miles from the Mexican border, where the presumptive Republican presidential nominee has pledged to build a wall.
There was no major violence or mass arrests - but skirmishes broke out as both sides jeered and heckled each other, with some protesters throwing water bottles and rocks.
Police outside the city's convention centre ordered the crowd to disperse after the billionaire's speech, but protesters from both sides refused to leave for hours.
Dozens of riot officers stood between the rival groups but one Trump supporter was seen using pepper spray against another protester.
An anti-Trump supporter was tackled to the ground before being handcuffed and dragged away, apparently for ignoring a request to clear the area.
"I am opposed to the hateful, bigoted, racist language of Donald Trump and his arrogance and intolerance," Martha McPhail, one of the protesters in San Diego, told the local City News Service (CNS). "I'm for all of our people - all races, sexes, genders, military veterans - and he's divisive."
Riley Hansen, a 19-year-old Trump supporter who was selling T-shirts of the candidate, said it was time America voted for a businessman.
"My dad always told me you need a businessman as president," he told CNS. "I like his policies."
Earlier on Friday, hundreds of demonstrators had also gathered at another Trump campaign appearance in Fresno, in central California, during which the bombastic candidate reiterated his vow to build a wall to prevent undocumented immigrants from entering the United States from Mexico.
News reports said two women were arrested after refusing to leave the area following the rally.
Trump's campaign, which has featured controversial statements about Hispanics, women and Muslims and seen the surprise frontrunner accused of encouraging violence at his rallies has divided American voters ahead of November's presidential election.
No comments:
Post a Comment