COSTA MESA, Calif., April 29 (UPI) — Police in Orange County, Calif., arrested 20 people after fights broke out and a police car windshield was smashed amid anti-Donald Trump protests Thursday.
Police, some in riot gear, worked to disperse a crowd that had been building as Republican presidential candidate Trump held a rally at the Orange County Fairgrounds. Fights broke out as some protesters called Trump supporters racists.
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies threatened to arrest hundreds of people chanting “Whose streets? Our streets!” as they blocked an intersection next to the fairgrounds.
Another group allegedly jumped on a police car and smashed its back window. Police said other protesters blocked the streets around the fairground. The protests were finally broken up by 11 p.m.
Non-violent protesters called the actions of the evening “the symptom of hate speech.”
“I’m against Trump’s nativist and nationalistic agenda, which divides people and is very hateful of the other,” said 26-year-old Rojelio Banuelos, who peacefully marchedwith a sign that read, “Liberation not deportation.”
“I’m willing to be arrested,” said 18-year-old Blanca Melchor. “I’m proud. We have a voice. This is because of Trump and what he says.”
