Secret Service agents have protected US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign event in OH after a protester apparently attempted to storm the stage.
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“I hope they arrest these people because they’re really violating all of us”, Trump said at a rally here during which dozens of protesters were ejected from the venue by police. “Donald trump in last debate said I want to scrap all H1B”.
“We’re going to build a wall, folks, a real wall”, he said.
The allegations by Trump, 69, was immediately denied by the Sanders campaign, which disassociated with the protesters who were chanting “Bernie Bernie” at Trump’s Chicago rally.
Clashes broke out Friday night between protesters and Trump supporters after the campaign announced the rally would be canceled more than 30 minutes after it was scheduled to start. It wasn’t clear if those sprayed were demonstrators or Trump supporters.
“You know Bernie was saying Mr. Trump should speak to his crowd”, Trump said.
“I still at this moment continue and intend to support the Republican nominee, but, getting harder every day”, he said.
The months-long Republican race may be coming to a head at nominating contests on Tuesday where Mr Trump is seeking victories that may give him an nearly insurmountable lead for the nomination.
Candidate John Kasich, also a Republican, said that “the seeds of division that Donald Trump has been sowing this whole campaign finally bore fruit, and it was ugly”. “There is no place for a national leader to prey on the fears of people who live in our great country”.
Police on horseback and riot gear briefly moved into a crowd of protesters and officers used what appeared to be pepper spray against demonstrators for a few seconds.
Violent scuffles were sparked by Trump supporters attempting to wrestle flags from protesters.
In a statement, Mr. Trump’s campaign said that he “has determined that for the safety of all of the tens of thousands of people that have gathered in and around the arena, tonight’s rally will be postponed to another date”.
Police said five people were arrested, including CBS News reporter Sopan Deb.
However, he made sure to repeat that protesters should be treated “gently” after his opponents blamed him Friday for the violence at his Chicago rally, pointing the finger at his divisive tone at recent events. Some Trump supporters responded with obscene gestures.
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The President, who spoke at a fundraiser in Dallas, didn’t single out any candidate but said how they should act to be “worthy of our votes”,CBS reported. One person posted video of the incident to Twitter, complaining that the spray hit many people who didn’t seem to be provoking police. He complained the well-organized protesters in Chicago intent on keeping him from speaking had violated his First Amendment rights, and questioned why no one was asking Bernie Sanders to defend the actions of his backers. “The eyes of the world will look upon America closely to see how we conduct ourselves”, he said.
