Albuquerque Trump demo erupts in violence: Protesters clash with riot police smashing windows, lighting fires and chanting ‘shut it down’ while dozens flee in panic over the sound of ‘gunshots’
Around 100 protesters gathered outside the Albuquerque, New Mexico, hall Tuesday night for a Donald Trump rally
As he took to the stage, they burst through the police barricades, throwing rocks and setting fires in the streets
Security dragged many protesters back out as they shouted ‘fascist’ and held up anti-Trump signs amid the chaos
Riot police rounded up crowds with pepper spray and smoke canisters, with multiple officers injured in the melee
Trump used his Twitter account to hit out at the ugly scenes, accusing them of being ‘thugs’ and ‘criminals’
Yesterday Trump won the Washington primary with 77 per cent of the vote, and he was endorsed by Rick Santorum
GOP voters in New Mexico, California, New Jersey, Montana and South Dakota will head to the polls on June 7
By David Martosko, U.s. Political Editor In Albuquerque
Dailymail.com
25 May 2016
Protests outside a Donald Trump rally in Albuquerque turned violent last night as demonstrators trying to disrupt his speech clashed with riot police, set fires and sent people running in fear over the sound of a ‘gunshot’.
Around 100 protesters broke through a barricade outside the building shortly after Trump took to the stage, trying to throw rocks through a window and at police, and setting fires on the street outside.
One officer said that a shot was fired from a pellet gun, and a second officer said it was a bullet – though subsequent reports have cast doubts over the ‘gunfire’.
Smoke canisters erupted through the streets as police tried to surround the protesters, while multiple officers are being treated for injuries and one protester has been arrested, police told Daily Mail Online.
Albuquerque Police locked down the convention center’s main hall, which was empty except for staff, security and reporters filing stories.
Activists outside had tried to force their way in as Trump was finishing an hour-long speech, but a line of police forced them back. One table holding a vendor’s Trump merchandise was set on fire, and protesters threw flaming t-shirts at police.
They responded with smoke canisters and pepper spray in an effort to disperse the crowd.
The Rest…HERE
