- Police have clashed with protesters outside Donald Trump's rally in Costa Mesa, California on Thursday night
- One group of protesters was filmed trying to flip over a police car outside the Pacific Amphitheater where he spoke
- Hundreds of demonstrators flooded the streets, hurling rocks at motorists and forcefully declaring their opposition
- One Trump supporter was seen bloodied after being punched in the face, while about 20 people were arrested
- The Republican frontrunner was campaigning on Thursday ahead of the state's June 7 presidential primary
- He is vying for votes in the primary election to narrow the gap to the 1,237 delegates needed to win the nomination
Police clashed with hundreds of protesters outside Donald Trump's rally in Southern California on Thursday night.
At least one police car was smashed up as hundreds of demonstrators – many of them waving Mexican flags – took to the streets outside the Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa, Orange County where Trump was speaking.
The protesters flooded the street outside the amphitheater with some stomping on cars, hurling rocks at motorists and forcefully declaring their opposition to Trump - bringing traffic to a halt and creating a tense standoff with authorities.
One Trump supporter was pictured with a bloody facing after clashing with the anti-Trump activists, many of whom were young Hispanic people.
The violence in Southern California where Latinos make up a large segment of the population suggests Trump may face more of this in the days to come, as he campaigns ahead of the state’s June 7 primary.
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Police in riot gear form a line to break up a group of protesters, one of whom is carrying a Mexican flag, outside Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump's campaign rally in Costa Mesa, California on Thursday
A protester is seen covering his head as he is surrounded by sheriffs on horseback in chaotic scenes on Thurssday
Police officers block traffic to Fair Dr. after protesters stormed the streets near the OC Fairgrounds where Donald Trump spoke earlier in the evening
One group of protesters was filmed trying to flip over a police car and arrests have been made outside outside the Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa. A patrol car with a smashed window is pictured above
Early Friday, authorities said there were no major injuries following the ordeal and that crowds dispersed by 11pm.
Traffic came to a stop as protesters gathered and blocked traffic while carrying signs in the intersection of Fair Drive and Fairview Road, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Photos from the scene showed a visibly bloodied Trump supporter after he was punched in the face as well as several people being arrested and handcuffed by police.
In the chaotic scenes, some of the demonstrators reportedly carried benches and blocked the entrance to the 55 Freeway along Newport Boulevard.
As they blocked traffic, a group of protesters waved both American and Mexican flags while others had signs with messages including 'Dump the Trump,' according to the Times.
At one point, a demonstrator was seen stomping on a police car, causing the car's windows to smash, while another scrawled an expletive and Trump's name onto a police cruiser. Some of the protesters also reportedly tossed rocks and debris at cars passing by.
Officers in riot gear from the Costa Mesa Police Department and sheriffs on horseback lined a roadway and told demonstrators to clear the road, but many remained in the street.
At one point, seven women wearing no shirts and Bernie Sanders stickers over their breasts entered the square outside the amphitheater.
They said they were protesting Trump's lack of engagement on issues of gender equality and women's rights and had slogans such as 'Dump Trump' and 'Gender Equality' written in marker on their midriffs.
'I feel like he wants to make America great again, but certainly not for women, for the LBGTQ community or for the lower class,' said one of the women, Tiernan Hebron. 'He has, like, done nothing to help with gender equality or women's rights or reproductive rights or anything.'
Hundreds of demonstrators flooded the street outside the amphitheater with some reportedly stomping on cars, hurling rocks at motorists and forcefully declaring their opposition to Trump
Police in riot gear form a line to break up a group of protesters, one with a Mexican flag, outside Trump's campaign rally
In chaotic scenes, a Trump supporter clashes with protesters on Thursday night. There were were nearly 200 officers and deputies at the scene
Donald Trump protesters burn their tires to create smoke at the intersection of Fair Drive and Fairview Road near the OC Fairgrounds
A protester holds a Mexican flag on the light pole on Fairview Road outside The Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa on Thursday
During his speech, Trump - apparently unaware of the chaos engulfing the rally outside the theater - told the crowd: 'Our rallies are the safest place to be on Earth, believe me', The Guardian reported.
Additional forces from law enforcement agencies had been deployed to deal with tonight's crowd, according to the Los Angeles Times.
While Costa Mesa officials had also set up an emergency operations center opposite the fairground and amphitheater, with city spokesman Tony Dodero adding earlier, 'we're prepared for the worst.'
There were were nearly 200 officers and deputies at the scene, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
However, as the chaotic scenes played out it seemed police were dealing with a larger and more boisterous crowd than expected.
'It definitely got out of control,' Megan Iyall, 20, who was visiting from Seattle told the Times. 'I shouldn't feel this unsafe.'
She added: 'I know people are angry and upset but that should not be happening.'
Police in riot gear stand in line as they face protesters in the street during the demonstrations outside Trump's rally
Above two protesters are pictured as sheriff's deputies place them in handcuffs during the demonstration
A man holds a child on his neck who holds a sign reading 'Spread Love' while sheriffs on horseback are seen in the background
Orange County Sheriff's deputies join Costa Mesa Police to disperse a crowd of Donald Trump protesters
The Republican presidential frontrunner was campaigning on Thursday ahead of the state's June 7 presidential primary, among the last in the nation
The Republican presidential frontrunner was campaigning on Thursday ahead of the state's June 7 presidential primary, among the last in the nation.
He is vying for votes in the primary election in hope of narrowing the gap to the 1,237 delegates needed to win the Republican presidential nomination.
His rally earlier at the OC fairgrounds attracted a group of supporters who proudly showed their allegiance to him.
Some supporters were seen waving a 'Gays for Trump' sign while other signs read 'Latinos for Trump' and 'Black Christian Women for Trump.'
Meanwhile, protesters voiced their opposition to Trump's campaign which has been criticized for marginalizing women, Latinos and other ethnic groups as well for his policies on immigration and offensive remarks about Mexicans, claiming Mexico was sending rapists over the border.
Earlier in his campaign, he called for a 'total and complete shutdown of Muslims' entering the United States.
Police line the street as protesters take over Fair drive intersection at Fairview Rd at the Trump rally in Costa Mesa
Guadalupe Verdugo holds a peace sign in front of police as protests erupt along the street surrounding the Costa Mesa Fair grounds
Protesters are pictured holding a sign reading 'Tear down the walls, Trump is a racist, fascist, misogynistic, capitalist pig!'
Protesters are pictured as they are pushed off the street by law enforcement after Trump's rally on Thursday
A row of riot control police officers line up behind their shields during the confrontation between Trump protesters and supporters
A protester unfurls an American flag as he stand before a line of police officers, some of which are mounted on horses
Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump jeer members of the press during his campaign rally
The rally on Thursday was set to begin at 7pm but kicked off about a half hour later.
As a large crowd of mostly Trump supporters gathered outside the venue before it started, there were several scuffles between supporters and anti-Trump protesters, according to KTLA.
Trump had kicked off the rally by appealing to conservative California voters with his pledge to crack down on immigration and plans to build a huge wall on the border with Mexico.
He also appeared to take aim at Muslims, sharing a now discredited story about a First World War general who was said to have stopped insurgency by ordering his troops to use bullets dipped in pigs' blood to kill Muslim terrorists.
'We're going to have to get a lot tougher than we are because we have problems,' he said, according to the LA Times.
He began Thursday's event at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, by bringing on the families of people allegedly killed by illegal immigrants.
Protesters are shown above gathered in the street with one adorned in an America flag while another holds a sign that reads 'Dump Trump'
A crowd of protesters flood the street with one demonstrator waving a Mexican flag as others follow behind
A protester is shown above with a sign that reads 'Immigrants and refugees are welcome NOT Trump'
Protesters stand up on top of a Orange County Fairgrounds sign and hold up the American flag at The Pacific Amphitheater
'They're unbelievable, they've suffered. These are great people,' Trump said before handing the mic to Jamiel Shaw whose son, a Los Angeles high school football star, was killed in 2008 by someone in the U.S. illegally.
Shaw, who has spoken at numerous rallies, praised Trump's calls to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and his calls for deportation.
'When I saw Trump and what he said, for the first time it gave me real hope, gave me real change,' he said.
'They all have a very similar story to tell,' Trump said after Shaw's speech.
'People that shouldn't have been here, people that should have never been allowed to come over the border and they come here like its nothing, they walk through it like its nothing,' he said as the crowd chanted 'build a wall.'
'We're going to stop it and we're going to build a wall.'
Trump also used his speech to criticize former Deputy Chief of Staff and Republican Karl Grove who he described as 'grossly incompetent' and a 'bad guy' who 'still thinks Romney won.'
Trump has drawn large crowds across the country as he has campaigned for the White House and some of his events have been marred by incidents both inside and outside these venues.
Earlier this week, a Trump rally in nearby Anaheim, California turned contentious when his supporters and counter protestors clashed, leaving several people struck by pepper spray. Trump was not present.
Trump has drawn large crowds to most of his campaign events, and Thursday was no exception. The Pacific Amphitheatre was filled to its capacity of about 18,000 and many hundreds more were turned away.
Ly Kou, 47, of Ontario, said she likes Trump because he has vowed to put the country first.
'It's obvious that America loves Trump,' said Kou, who is from Laos, as she pointed at the waiting throng. "This thing about him being racist? Look around the crowd."
Trump had kicked off the rally by appealing to conservative California voters with his pledge to crack down on immigration and plans to build a huge wall on the border with Mexico
Trump is pictured greeting supporters after his rally. He used his speech on Thursday to also criticize former Deputy Chief of Staff and Republican Karl Grove who he described as 'grossly incompetent' and a 'bad guy' who 'still thinks Romney won'
A large crowd is seen attending Trump's rally as he is vying for votes in the primary election in hope of narrowing the gap to the 1,237 delegates needed to win the Republican presidential nomination
A Trump supporter gathering for the Thursday rally is seen with a sign that reads 'Vote Trump Patriotically Correct ReTRUMPlicans'
A Trump supporters wears a mask during his campaign rally at the Orange County Fair and Event Center on Thurday. Trump is vying for votes in the June 7 California primary election in hope of narrowing the gap to the 1,237 delegates needed to win the Republican presidential nomination
#1: GrandIsland To: cranky (#0)
That's because all who oppose Trump are like our very own Commie Sanders supporting Ron Paultard posters here. Vile, disruptive, lawless shitbags that feel they are entitled.... and then they go get high.
GrandIsland posted on 2016-04-29 07:28:02 Reply Private Reply
#2: GrandIsland To: cranky (#0)
PRESIDENT TRUMP!!!!!!!!
All you illegal alien and bleeding heart Paultards can kiss his ass.
GrandIsland posted on 2016-04-29 07:29:29 Reply Private Reply
#3: Justified To: cranky (#0)
Know me by my enemies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Trump and Cruz have a massed a huge enemies list that are the who's who's of the devils minions!
Justified posted on 2016-04-29 09:35:35 Reply Private Reply
#4: cranky To: Justified (#3)
I noticed mostly the mexican flags.
I didn't know it was legal to fly foreign national flags on US soil.
Even Ca soil.
cranky posted on 2016-04-29 09:47:03 Reply Private Reply
#5: misterwhite To: GrandIsland (#1)
misterwhite posted on 2016-04-29 10:57:38 Reply Private Reply
#6: Hondo68 To: cranky, hired East LA gangbangers, Trump vatos (#0)
His Community Agitation skills rival those of Obama.
Hondo68 posted on 2016-04-29 11:15:59 Reply Private Reply
#7: calcon To: cranky (#4)
I always tell people that when you driving south on the five freeway, when the freeway gets wide, junk cars disappear, and everything clean, "your in orange county.
GO TRUMP!!!!!!
calcon posted on 2016-04-29 11:28:35 Reply Private Reply
#8: Roscoe To: misterwhite (#5)
LAPD used to be able to keep the gangs somewhat in check using their Crash Unit approach. The cop-haters ran crying to court to stop the practice, and now the gangs have free reign over much of the city.
Roscoe posted on 2016-04-29 11:33:33 Reply Private Reply
#9: tpaine To: GrandIsland (#2)
His grandiosity is wrapping himself in our flag, pretending to be a rational citizen.. --- While grandisland hopes Trump is a fascist dictator type. --
I'm betting that Trump is an anti-big government capitalist, as he claims.
tpaine posted on 2016-04-29 11:33:59 Reply Private Reply
#10: tpaine To: calcon, Y'ALL (#7)
Not true. -- Most of rural, inland California is solidly conservative. And up here in gold country, we're more than solid for Trump.
tpaine posted on 2016-04-29 11:41:30 Reply Private Reply
#11: misterwhite To: Roscoe (#8)
Looking at my watch, I'd say it's time for martial law and some National Guard troops.
misterwhite posted on 2016-04-29 12:26:01 Reply Private Reply
#12: tpaine To: misterwhite, roscoe, realizing their fondest deams (#11)
Martial law, the authoritarian socialists dream.
You two are pitifully predictable...
tpaine posted on 2016-04-29 12:50:05 Reply Private Reply
#13: Hondo68 To: GrandIsland, the revrunds, Community Agitators for Trump, Ready for Hillary (#1)
Trump hires nothing but the best, Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson, with decades of experience in community organizing/agitation and affirmative action race riots.
All those years of monthly payments to the revrunds, is really coming in handy now. They love that honky!
Hondo68 posted on 2016-04-29 13:03:18 Reply Private Reply
#14: calcon To: tpaine (#10)
is this case, i like being wrong, hell i live in san fran so i'm in enemy territory
calcon posted on 2016-04-29 13:10:47 Reply Private Reply
#15: tpaine To: calcon (#14)
Not true. -- Most of rural, inland California is solidly conservative. And up here in gold country, we're more than solid for Trump.
Me too, I lived in San Mateo County for over fifty years, back when it was occasionally republican..
Get out of the bay area while you can. -- It's a death trap waiting to happen.
tpaine posted on 2016-04-29 13:25:10 Reply Private Reply
#16: calcon To: tpaine (#15)
calcon posted on 2016-04-29 13:45:09 Reply Private Reply
#17: tpaine To: calcon (#16)
Burlingame WAS a great place to live, 40 years ago. Brought up my kids there, built a number of houses up in the hills. It was a good life..
Now I'm retired in the gold country.
As you can see, the peninsula is now freak city, just like SF.
tpaine posted on 2016-04-29 15:55:36 Reply Private Reply
#18: goldilucky To: Roscoe (#8)
That crowd out there of anti-Trump protestors is not gonna settle down. You might need to call in the National Guards. It's going to make the riots of Rodney King look like a picnic.
goldilucky posted on 2016-04-29 16:02:46 Reply Private Reply
#19: BorisY To: cranky (#0)
act
up
sudden
jihad
... derangement
syndrome
love
boris
BorisY posted on 2016-04-29 16:23:39 Reply Private Reply
#20: calcon To: tpaine (#17)
i use san fran since it ticks off the people here for some reason
calcon posted on 2016-04-29 17:32:18 Reply Private Reply
#21: tpaine To: calcon (#20)
tpaine posted on 2016-04-29 17:49:25 Reply Private Reply
#22: Stoner To: tpaine (#15)
? ? ?
Stoner posted on 2016-04-29 21:18:02 Reply Private Reply
#23: GrandIsland To: tpaine (#9)
I'll be happy if he just starves all the lazy drug addicted welfare shitbags and orders illegals shot on sight.
GrandIsland posted on 2016-04-29 22:34:15 Reply Private Reply
#24: GrandIsland To: hondo68 (#13)
GrandIsland posted on 2016-04-29 22:40:03 Reply Private Reply
#25: buckeroo To: GrandIsland (#23)
I am happy that GrandIsland, an addicted donut muncher & koffee slurper, has ensured that many of us libertarians are not mentioned in his declaration of terrorism.
buckeroo posted on 2016-04-29 22:41:55 Reply Private Reply
#26: GrandIsland To: buckeroo (#25)
GrandIsland posted on 2016-04-29 22:44:57 Reply Private Reply
#27: buckeroo To: GrandIsland (#26)
buckeroo posted on 2016-04-29 22:49:07 Reply Private Reply
#28: Deckard To: GrandIsland (#23)
Deckard posted on 2016-04-29 23:00:21 Reply Private Reply
#29: Deckard To: tpaine (#12)
Yep - Not surprised to see comments like those from LF's Brownshirt brigade.
Deckard posted on 2016-04-29 23:03:06 Reply Private Reply
#30: GrandIsland To: buckeroo (#27)
Only if the person is 100% self sufficient AND a productive TAX PAYING non criminal member of society. If not, commit suicide. You have zero value.
GrandIsland posted on 2016-04-29 23:21:08 Reply Private Reply
#31: A K A Stone To: hondo68 (#13)
A K A Stone posted on 2016-04-29 23:46:39 Reply Private Reply
#32: Hondo68 To: A K A Stone (#31)
Hondo68 posted on 2016-04-30 00:00:42 Reply Private Reply
#33: Gatlin To: GrandIsland (#1)
That is worth repeating, therefore I will:
That's because all who oppose Trump are like our very own Commie Sanders supporting Ron Paultard posters here. Vile, disruptive, lawless shitbags that feel they are entitled.... and then they go get high.
Gatlin posted on 2016-04-30 00:14:41 Reply Private Reply
#34: Fred Mertz To: hondo68 (#32)
See you in the the funny papers, hondopehead.
Fred Mertz posted on 2016-04-30 01:39:04 Reply Private Reply
#35: Hondo68 To: Fred Mertz, Donald Trump, Rainbow Coalition, Liberace (#34)
Donald Trump, Liberace and a polar bear in 1984 at Trump Tower in New York.
http://mashable.com/2016/01/16/donald-trump-new-york-values/#Fk8a8.dKjmqs
Hondo68 posted on 2016-04-30 04:15:00 Reply Private Reply
#36: goldilucky To: GrandIsland (#30)
Wow! Who are you to decide who has value in this society? Zero value? Speak none other than for yourself.
goldilucky posted on 2016-04-30 14:26:22 Reply Private Reply
#37: tpaine To: Stoner (#22)
? ? ? --- Stoner
Like many other metropolitan areas, if the power goes out, -- within days, --- the residents would be killing each other over a crust of bread.
tpaine posted on 2016-04-30 15:22:46 Reply Private Reply
#38: calcon To: tpaine (#21)
forgot that pisses them off more then SanFran, got to start using it again just to aggravate them even more.
My actual name for it, is "dirty sh*thole"
calcon posted on 2016-04-30 16:52:57 Reply Private Reply
#39: GrandIsland To: goldilucky (#36)
And who the F" are you deciding who has enough value to be be fed, clothed and housed WITH MY MONEY? If you feel someone has value, YOU fund their welfare.
Your response is enough for me to dub you a libtard who's sympathy might be your weakness, but it sure as hell won't be mine.
GrandIsland posted on 2016-04-30 18:19:38 Reply Private Reply
#40: goldilucky To: GrandIsland (#39)
Welcome to the human race!
goldilucky posted on 2016-04-30 18:46:57 Reply Private Reply
#41: GrandIsland To: goldilucky (#40)
You're too libtarded to be a cop. I worked with liberal suck holes like you. They make shitty ineffective officers.
GrandIsland posted on 2016-04-30 22:04:24 Reply Private Reply
#42: Deckard To: goldilucky (#36)
GrandIsland would done quite well as part of the SS in Nazi Germany.
Deckard posted on 2016-05-01 01:58:13 Reply Private Reply
#43: goldilucky To: GrandIsland (#41)
No its because working with somebody like you would get me killed because of your hostile ways towards your fellow man regardless of social status.
goldilucky posted on 2016-05-01 03:12:00 Reply Private Reply