News / Politics

Violence at Trump rallies in photos

Saturday, 12 March 2016 11:02 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 13 March 2016 1:36 PM ]

Police detained Anthony Cage after a fight between supporters and opponents of Donald Trump, ahead of his speech outside the Peabody Opera House in St. Louis on Friday. (Reuters photo)

The raucous scuffle that forced Donald Trump to postpone his campaign event in Chicago on Friday is heightening concerns about the violence-inducing environment at the Republican presidential front-runner’s rallies.

Clashes erupted when Trump’s campaign managers asked thousands of his supporters at the University of Illinois to leave the arena due to security concerns.

The angry rally-goers gathered inside and outside the arena and then confronted several hundred anti-Trump protesters, blaming them for the cancellation. Five people were arrested and two police officers were injured in the scuffle.

Earlier in the day, Trump was interrupted by protesters several times during a rally in St. Louis, Missouri. It led to at least one injury and 32 arrests.

Trump defended his supporters, encouraging them to attack protesters if they provoke violence.

Protesters have been beaten, shoved, kicked and verbally abused during many of Trump's events.

“Part of the problem and part of the reason it takes so long [to kick them out] is nobody wants to hurt each other anymore,” he charged on Friday.

“There used to be consequences. There are none anymore,” Trump said. “These people are so bad for our country. You have no idea folks, you have no idea.”