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Trump faces questions about rally violence at GOP debate
| Salt Lake Tribune | - |
Republican
presidential candidate, businessman Donald Trump, speaks as Republican
presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, listens ,during the
Republican presidential debate sponsored by CNN, Salem Media Group and
the Washington Times at ...
Trump faces questions about rally violence at GOP debate
First Published 1 hour ago
•
Updated 1 hour ago
Chicago • As Republican presidential
front-runner Donald Trump attempts to unify a fractured GOP around his
candidacy, images of his supporters attacking protesters and allegations
that he's inciting violence are casting new attention on the divisive
nature of his candidacy.
Trump had to answer questions at Thursday
night's GOP debate about video that showed a supporter punching a
protester at a rally this week in North Carolina. It was the latest in a
string of scuffles at his often heated rallies, at which protesters
frequently clash with supporters and security.
Trump rejected the idea that he was responsible
for the incidents and allegations he sets a tone at his rallies that
encourages violence.
"I hope not. I truly hope not," Trump said, explaining that his debates draw thousands of people who are filled with emotion.
"People come with tremendous passion and love
for the country," he said. "When they see what's going on in this
country, they have anger that's unbelievable."
But during a news conference Friday, Trump
applauded his supporters for taking on protesters who he says have
gotten physical at his rallies.
"The audience hit back," he said. "And that's what we need a little bit more of."
Trump will hold a pair of rallies on Friday in
two states that vote next Tuesday. The first is in St. Louis at the
city's Peabody Opera House, the second at an arena at the University of
Illinois at Chicago — a civil and immigrant rights organizing hub with
large minority student populations.
Trump's visit has already created waves on the
campus. Dozens of UIC faculty and staff petitioned university
administrators to cancel the rally, citing concerns it would create a
"hostile and physically dangerous environment" for students. Chicago
police plan a heavy presence.
Rep. Luis Gutierrez, student activists and
longtime Chicago organizers are all planning to protest outside the
university venue over issues that include what they called Trump's
disparaging comments, particularly about Muslims and Mexicans.
"Donald Trump's campaign, it incites hatred and
violence with the things he says with marginalized groups that are very
prevalent UIC," said Casandra Rebledo, a 19-year-old nursing student.
"This is something we feel is a form of empowerment."
Gutierrez said he had no plans to enter the
event. Instead, he would rally in a parking lot outside with a message
focused on welcoming all.
"We're not going to let Donald Trump take us
back to the 1950s," said Gutierrez, a Chicago Democrat, who has long
rallied for immigrant rights. "We've worked too hard."
Organizers of a student-led group, who expected
hundreds of participants, planned to meet on campus and march to the
arena where Trump will speak and set up shop in a nearby parking lot.
Members of Black Lives Matter Chicago, which has held largely peaceful
smaller protests following a police-involved shooting in Chicago, also
planned to participate.
Chicago police said they were coordinating with
the Secret Service, university police and fire department officials on
logistics.
"People can expect to see a very visible police presence," police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.
The renewed attention on Trump's rallies comes
after a white Trump supporter was charged with assault Thursday after
video showed him punching a black man being escorted out of the venue by
sheriff's deputies at a campaign rally Wednesday in North Carolina.
Last year, video captured Trump supporters physically assaulting
Mercutio Southall Jr., an African-American activist, at a rally in
Birmingham, Alabama.
At past events, Trump has said he'd like to
punch a protester in the face and promised to pay supporters' legal fees
if they get into trouble. During Wednesday night's rally in North
Carolina, he recalled a past protester, "a real bad dude."
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