Trump rallies in San Diego, Fresno draw big protests
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Supporters stand for the pledge of allegiance prior to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaking at a rally today in Fresno, Calif.
SAN DIEGO » Donald Trump campaign rallies drew vocal crowds of protesters in San Diego and Fresno today, all under heavy police presence following similar events around the country that led to violence and arrests.
About a thousand Trump foes demonstrated outside San Diego’s convention center, some engaging in shouting matches with the candidate’s supporters and many carrying signs critical of his plan to wall off the U.S. border with Mexico, which runs just south of the city.
Some waved Mexican flags and one man broke apart a Trump piñata with a pole.
“I marvel that this presidential election has come to this,” said San Diego City Councilman Todd Gloria, a Democrat who joined the protest.
Trump supporter Pam Stickler walked past the protesters on her way into the rally.
“I like that he is bold and not afraid to speak his mind,” especially about illegal immigration, she said. “Because we’re here at ground zero in San Diego.”
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Earlier in the Central Valley, several hundred demonstrators chanted, held signs and marched around a downtown Fresno arena where the presumptive Republican presidential nominee spoke to supporters.
The Fresno protesters — a largely young and Latino crowd — chanted “keep hate out of our state” and held signs with slogans such as “Trump needs to be dumped.”
At one point a protester pulled at a gate but other demonstrators tried to calm him down. Police formed a line between the protester and the gate. After the demonstration had largely dispersed, a woman was arrested for refusing to move as a police line advanced to clear the area. Another woman was similarly arrested later.
Ticket-holders arriving for the event took pictures of the protesters with their phones and fellow Trump supporters urged them to not respond to demonstrators.
“We need to put up a wall to keep them out,” said Trump supporter Christine Kinyoun, 44, of Hanford.
Heading into the rally, Darrell Hedden, 59, of Hanford, said he thinks Trump would restore U.S. pride.
“I came to see Donald Trump make history. He’s going to make this country better,” Hedden said.
Jacqueline Saavedra, 18, traveled to Fresno from East Los Angeles to protest.
“I have a family of immigrants,” she said. “My father came here illegally to work in the fields. He did give us a better life. He’s a good man. I’m here for my people.”
Trump’s appearances have brought together large numbers of supporters and protesters, often divided over his comments about immigrants and Muslims and his plan to build a wall on the Mexican border.
At least eight people were arrested outside a Trump rally this week in Anaheim, a day after anti-Trump demonstrators in Albuquerque clashed with police.
Demonstrators in the Orange County city of Costa Mesa last month damaged police cars and threw bottles, leading to 17 arrests.
19 responses to “Trump rallies in San Diego, Fresno draw big protests”
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Since when did illegal immigration become something to be proud of?
ICE and CBP could quiet the situation very easily. Let them do their job.
It is not something to be “proud” of, but is building a wall a real solution? It sounds catchy, but is it a problem solver?
Why not lay a minefield, or launch missiles at Mexico if it is that bad. Not radical enough?
Trump just plays to the emotions of the disenchanted, but does it solve anything? We need real solutions and real people to solve them.
As they say, big fence, even bigger ladder….
With Trump as President we won’t even have to build the wall as the illegals will be on the run.
Please, again, he won’t even come close to winning. A Latino voting for trump, is like a chicken voting for KFC.
Deeper tunnel. LOL
I like the minefield with paint balls.
50skane, ever since big business found out they can get ‘cheep’ labor and joined with the politicians. Today, America can begin to gain back its liberty by building the ‘Wall’ and seriously control illegal immigration. Both, Democrats and Republicans have created this illegal immigration problem. Same-same the homeless problem.
Trumps only way to win in November is to win electoral-college-rich states like NY and CA. The only problem is that they are thoroughly democratic and moreover the two most diverse states in the nation. He will NEVER get the Hispanic vote– why is this crucial, well he needs roughly 36-37 of the entire Hispanic vote to be competitive in November. As a point of reference, Romney only got about 21% of this vote–what is the Donald currently polling at for Hispanics??? Single digits…..lol!!!!!!
Dont forget that other problem.
“Some waved Mexican flags.” Credibility shot!
Windward, and when the American Hispanics and American Africans understand they were abused by the Liberals and Democrats, they will turn on their suppressors. We all have the opportunity to reach our American dream and we can accomplish that by pushing the Liberal and Democrat oppressors out of the way. Right now, they are demonstrating against the wrong political group, the Conservative Republicans that will expand America’s opportunities.
Police should start checking the immigration status of these protesters. My guess is most of them are illegal aliens, if the INS showed up they protesters would magically disappear.
That would do the job. Before the Trump bashers get too excited we must be politically correct.The United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was an agency of the U.S. Department of Justice from 1933 to 2003. Most of its functions were transferred to three new entities – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – within the newly created Department of Homeland Security, as part of a major government reorganization following the September 11 attacks of 2001.
These protesters are feeding into this idiocy of Donald being Racist.Fools.Why because as w/everything or everybody who opposed Donald, will Backfire and will only favor his campaign! The American People are all watching this,how these protesters are causing anarchy,breaking the law and inciting VIOLENCE! And Waving the Mexican? Really? I was pretty “P”d when i saw them waving the Mexican Flag on American soil. Livid! This IS America,the United States of America! By doing this,the protester are only offending Every American citizen! yes! Indeed! They havn’t a clue on how to hold a Peaceful protest. Taking away our Freedom of Speech.
This is pure stupidity ,because we allowed this to happen!
So for now?For all the Uninformed protesters? PLEASE Educate your self on politics. or ?if you like,I dare you! Go to DonaldjTrump.com and educate yourself on his policies.
Some FYI? Donald is in NO WAY a Racist! Just because he plans on Vetting Muslims coming into The US,from hot zones like Syria,Iraq and Iran by securing and protecting our borders also protecting us from Mexican Cartels who are responsible for spreading Drugs all over America. The Damage and pain these Hombres cause are Massive, Kids ,Family,friends you name it! This has Nothing to do with Racist,he is merely protecting us,because our present leader is not!For someone to label Donald as a Racist is just plain stupid!
I see nothing offensive here, this is facts! Freedom of Speech?
No worries. Illegal aliens can’t vote.
Ever wonder what would happen if you entered Mexico illegally and asked for welfare?
They’d hold you for ransom and if you didn’t have any money they would throw you in the Rio Grande with a hundred pounds of rocks tied to your body and tell you to start swimming.