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Donald Trump rally in Chicago postponed due to 'safety reasons' – live Cruz and Rubio blame Trump for violence at Chicago rally – live
(35 minutes later)
2.52am GMT
02:52
Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have now both blamed Donald Trump for the violence that erupted at his Chicago rally. Rubio, speaking by phone to Fox’s Megyn Kelly, said:
He most certainly in other events has in the past used some pretty rough language in encouraging the crowds ... He bears some responsibility for the general tone.
Rubio also cast blame on the anti-Trump protesters, saying, “Clearly, this is an orchestrated effort ... It reflects very poorly on this country. I’m very sad for this country.” He added: “This is Chicago. Protesters are an industry ... Chicago is kind of a hub for that.”
Talking to reporters shortly after, Ted Cruz said:
A campaign bears responsibility for creating an environment ... The predictable consequence of [Trump’s comments] is it escalates. Today is unlikely to be the last such instance.
Cruz added: “We saw earlier today in St Louis over 30 arrested. That’s not how our politics should occur.”
He also took the opportunity to also blame the tensions on Obama, saying, “We’ve seen for seven years a president who often in times of crisis has sought to divide us ... on racial lines, on ethnic lines, on religious lines, on class lines. America is better than that. We don’t have to tear each other apart. Instead, we can work together.”
.@tedcruz responds to protests at @realDonaldTrump's rally, says"responsibility starts at the top." https://t.co/9kvFOYtExN
Updated
at 2.56am GMT
2.44am GMT
02:44
Zach Stafford
The Guardian’s Zach Stafford received footage from Lindsay Brown, 31, of police clashing with protesters after they left the Trump rally in Chicago.
Brown said:
You could feel the anger the protesters had for the Trump supporters, who were openly racist and hostile to protesters ... People were energized from successfully getting the event canceled, but when they exited the area, they confronted Trump supporters shouting at them.
Updated
at 2.45am GMT
2.34am GMT
02:34
From the Hugh Hewitt program, here are Ted Cruz’s comments on the chaos at Trump’s rally in Chicago:
A candidate bears responsibility for the culture that is set from the top.
Ted Cruz's reaction to the Trump protests via the Hugh Hewitt program pic.twitter.com/D7odnyFYZP
The Cruz scene in a suburb of Chicago has quite a different tone than the Trump event:
Different scene in suburb of Chicago, where Cruz slated to speak momentarily. Suits, dresses, white wine, salads. pic.twitter.com/Cwmgrwxyk7
2.24am GMT2.24am GMT
02:2402:24
Ben Carson, the former presidential candidate who endorsed Donald Trump this week, told Fox News’ Megyn Kelly that the candidates need to discourage the kind of violence that broke out tonight in Chicago:Ben Carson, the former presidential candidate who endorsed Donald Trump this week, told Fox News’ Megyn Kelly that the candidates need to discourage the kind of violence that broke out tonight in Chicago:
There’s no question that those of us in leadership positions should be attempting to calm people down and teach people to respect each other ... That’s something we all need to be thinking about.There’s no question that those of us in leadership positions should be attempting to calm people down and teach people to respect each other ... That’s something we all need to be thinking about.
Carson continued: “It’s going to be a huge problem for our country if we don’t do something about it now. A house divided against itself cannot stand.”Carson continued: “It’s going to be a huge problem for our country if we don’t do something about it now. A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
2.19am GMT2.19am GMT
02:1902:19
Shouting and scuffles are continuing to break out at a University of Illinois parking garage, the Guardian’s Ben Jacobs reports:Shouting and scuffles are continuing to break out at a University of Illinois parking garage, the Guardian’s Ben Jacobs reports:
Protesters blocking a garage pic.twitter.com/wy4O8x5hKQProtesters blocking a garage pic.twitter.com/wy4O8x5hKQ
Anti trump protesters are jeering people as they leave the garage pic.twitter.com/ZwjudMGnNBAnti trump protesters are jeering people as they leave the garage pic.twitter.com/ZwjudMGnNB
2.04am GMT2.04am GMT
02:0402:04
Here’s some footage from Guardian reporters Zach Stafford and Ben Jacobs on the scene in Chicago where protesters and Trump supporters continue to clash:Here’s some footage from Guardian reporters Zach Stafford and Ben Jacobs on the scene in Chicago where protesters and Trump supporters continue to clash:
Trump rally is canceled by protestors. A video from the moment of tension. pic.twitter.com/msvMNqf9nSTrump rally is canceled by protestors. A video from the moment of tension. pic.twitter.com/msvMNqf9nS
More scenes of protesters celebrating and shouting "Bernie, Bernie" after Trump cancelled pic.twitter.com/L7oB1eekMwMore scenes of protesters celebrating and shouting "Bernie, Bernie" after Trump cancelled pic.twitter.com/L7oB1eekMw
Scenes of mayhem after rally was cancelled pic.twitter.com/M5EGspNfjQScenes of mayhem after rally was cancelled pic.twitter.com/M5EGspNfjQ
Trump just told Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren that he suspects the protests and his decision to cancel the rally tonight could help him in the polls:Trump just told Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren that he suspects the protests and his decision to cancel the rally tonight could help him in the polls:
Everybody tells me I get more votes. I don’t know. I didn’t do it for votes. I did it because I didn’t want to see anybody hurt.Everybody tells me I get more votes. I don’t know. I didn’t do it for votes. I did it because I didn’t want to see anybody hurt.
Trump said it appeared the conflicts were slowing down. “It looks like it’s breaking up very nicely, and I think the police have done a good job.”Trump said it appeared the conflicts were slowing down. “It looks like it’s breaking up very nicely, and I think the police have done a good job.”
1.46am GMT1.46am GMT
01:4601:46
Ciara McCarthyCiara McCarthy
Intermittent scuffles and fights are breaking out now between Trump supporters, protestors and police. Protestors have crowded the sidewalks and are overflowing into the streets, pushing at the barricades formed by police. Protestors formed a spontaneous human blockade of the parking garage where many rally-goers parked, creating a standoff between screaming Trump supporters in the multi-level garage and screaming protestors on the ground below. Intermittent scuffles and fights are breaking out now between Trump supporters, protesters and police. Protesters have crowded the sidewalks and are overflowing into the streets, pushing at the barricades formed by police. Protesters formed a spontaneous human blockade of the parking garage where many rally-goers parked, creating a standoff between screaming Trump supporters in the multi-level garage and screaming protestors on the ground below.
Updated
at 2.32am GMT
1.38am GMT1.38am GMT
01:3801:38
Scott BixbyScott Bixby
Speaking to Greta Van Susteren on Fox News, Donald Trump declared that “tremendous anger out there, on both sides” was behind the cancellation of tonight’s rally in Chicago.Speaking to Greta Van Susteren on Fox News, Donald Trump declared that “tremendous anger out there, on both sides” was behind the cancellation of tonight’s rally in Chicago.
“We had 25,000 people that tried to come in - supporters, all supporters,” Trump said. “After seeing what’s on the show, I just think that it was a very good decision - I don’t wanna see people hurt.”“We had 25,000 people that tried to come in - supporters, all supporters,” Trump said. “After seeing what’s on the show, I just think that it was a very good decision - I don’t wanna see people hurt.”
“I don’t use hate speech,” Trump said in response to a question from Van Susteren about whether he bears any responsibility for the outbursts at his rallies. “There’s tremendous division in our country. I’ve seen it, I’m watching it, I’ve been witness to it, and something has to be done.”“I don’t use hate speech,” Trump said in response to a question from Van Susteren about whether he bears any responsibility for the outbursts at his rallies. “There’s tremendous division in our country. I’ve seen it, I’m watching it, I’ve been witness to it, and something has to be done.”
But, Trump says, he’s not the one giving ammunition to his followers. “I represent a large group of people that have anger - they’re not angry people, but they have anger,” Trump said. “This is very economic; this has a lot to do with jobs.”But, Trump says, he’s not the one giving ammunition to his followers. “I represent a large group of people that have anger - they’re not angry people, but they have anger,” Trump said. “This is very economic; this has a lot to do with jobs.”
“They haven’t shut down the rally at all, because it’s on television now, and it’s being seen by a lot more people,” Trump said.“They haven’t shut down the rally at all, because it’s on television now, and it’s being seen by a lot more people,” Trump said.
“No, I don’t get scared. I don’t get scared,” Trump said, after Van Susteren asked him if he was worried for his personal safety.“No, I don’t get scared. I don’t get scared,” Trump said, after Van Susteren asked him if he was worried for his personal safety.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.47am GMTat 1.47am GMT
1.31am GMT1.31am GMT
01:3101:31
Protestor: "If he can’t even handle Chicago, what makes him think he could handle ISIS?" Protester: "If he can’t even handle Chicago, what makes him think he could handle Isis?"
Reporting live from the Chicago Pavillion at the University of Illinois, the Guardian’s Ben Jacobs, Zach Stafford and Ciara McCarthy write that the scene of Donald Trump’s rally had been violent and chaotic even hours before its cancellation.Reporting live from the Chicago Pavillion at the University of Illinois, the Guardian’s Ben Jacobs, Zach Stafford and Ciara McCarthy write that the scene of Donald Trump’s rally had been violent and chaotic even hours before its cancellation.
The atmosphere in the building was tense long before Trump was scheduled to arrive. Violent incidents have occurred at and around a number of Trump rallies recently, including one in downtown St Louis on Friday afternoon.The atmosphere in the building was tense long before Trump was scheduled to arrive. Violent incidents have occurred at and around a number of Trump rallies recently, including one in downtown St Louis on Friday afternoon.
In Chicago, dozens of protesters, wearing shirts with slogans such as “Muslims united against Trump”, were kicked out.In Chicago, dozens of protesters, wearing shirts with slogans such as “Muslims united against Trump”, were kicked out.
Police walked up and down the arena stairs, holding sheaves of plastic handcuffs.Attendees grabbed signs out of each other’s hands while cursing and exchanging vulgar gestures. At least one section of young people was cleared out by police long before the event began.Police walked up and down the arena stairs, holding sheaves of plastic handcuffs.Attendees grabbed signs out of each other’s hands while cursing and exchanging vulgar gestures. At least one section of young people was cleared out by police long before the event began.
Finally, a half-hour after the event was scheduled to begin, the announcement came that Trump was not coming. The crowd immediately erupted.Finally, a half-hour after the event was scheduled to begin, the announcement came that Trump was not coming. The crowd immediately erupted.
College students shouted “We shut it down” while loyal supporters of the Republican frontrunner shouted “We want Trump”.College students shouted “We shut it down” while loyal supporters of the Republican frontrunner shouted “We want Trump”.
Related: Trump rally in Chicago abruptly postponed over safety concernsRelated: Trump rally in Chicago abruptly postponed over safety concerns
Updated
at 2.32am GMT
1.27am GMT1.27am GMT
01:2701:27
Donald Trump: "Whatever happened to freedom of speech?"Donald Trump: "Whatever happened to freedom of speech?"
Scott BixbyScott Bixby
In a phone call with Chris Matthews on MSNBC, presidential candidate Donald Trump told the host that he had his rally in Chicago cancelled because “I don’t wanna see people hurt or worse,” but blamed the closure on anti-Trump protestors and told them to “get a job.”In a phone call with Chris Matthews on MSNBC, presidential candidate Donald Trump told the host that he had his rally in Chicago cancelled because “I don’t wanna see people hurt or worse,” but blamed the closure on anti-Trump protestors and told them to “get a job.”
“Look, it’s a two-way street,” Trump said of physical violence at his rallies. “Frankly when the other side... when they get tough, it ends up being the front-page story.”“Look, it’s a two-way street,” Trump said of physical violence at his rallies. “Frankly when the other side... when they get tough, it ends up being the front-page story.”
Telling Matthews that “some of these protestors are very dangerous people,” Trump said that the reason protestors continue to come to his rallies is based on their economic concerns, rather than opposition to his platform.Telling Matthews that “some of these protestors are very dangerous people,” Trump said that the reason protestors continue to come to his rallies is based on their economic concerns, rather than opposition to his platform.
“We shouldn’t be restricted from having a rally here because of ethnic makeup,” Trump said. “It shouldn’t matter.”“We shouldn’t be restricted from having a rally here because of ethnic makeup,” Trump said. “It shouldn’t matter.”
“We’re doing others, and up until this point we’ve had no problems,” Trump said, insisting that he will continue to host rallies for his candidacy, “but this is a little bit of a different circumstance, and it’s a little sad that you can’t have a rally in a major city in this country. Whatever happened to freedom of speech?”“We’re doing others, and up until this point we’ve had no problems,” Trump said, insisting that he will continue to host rallies for his candidacy, “but this is a little bit of a different circumstance, and it’s a little sad that you can’t have a rally in a major city in this country. Whatever happened to freedom of speech?”
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.28am GMTat 1.28am GMT
1.17am GMT1.17am GMT
01:1701:17
Protestor Violet Ornelas, 28, on Donald Trump’s cancelled rally:Protestor Violet Ornelas, 28, on Donald Trump’s cancelled rally:
If he can’t even handle Chicago, what makes him think he could handle Isis?If he can’t even handle Chicago, what makes him think he could handle Isis?
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.18am GMTat 1.18am GMT
1.14am GMT
01:14
The Guardian’s Ciara McCarthy reports that the arena has been emptied at the site of the now-abandoned Donald Trump rally in Chicago:
Empty arena by 7 pm here at UIC pic.twitter.com/RUIixhbmCj
1.04am GMT
01:04
The Guardian’s Ben Jacobs reports that the crowd in the Chicago Pavillion is now shouting “fuck Trump!”
Crowd yells "Fuck Trump" pic.twitter.com/sy4L4yIUYD
12.46am GMT
00:46
Trump campaign: "Please go in peace"
The Donald Trump campaign has released a statement about the cancellation of tonight’s planned rally in downtown Chicago, calling the postponement a measure “for the safety” of its attendees and urging protestors and supporters alike to “please go in peace.”
“Mr. Trump just arrived in Chicago and after meeting with law enforcement has determined that for the safety of all of the tens of thousands of people that have gathered in and around the arena, tonight’s rally will be postponed to another date,” the statement reads. “Thank you very much for your attendance and please go in peace.”
Updated
at 12.51am GMT
12.38am GMT
00:38
Chicago Donald Trump rally postponed due to "safety reasons"
A rally at the University of Illinois at Chicago for presidential candidate Donald Trump has been postponed at the last minute for “safety reasons,” an unprecedented move from the Trump campaign after the tone of its rhetoric has drawn increased scrutiny.
The scene inside the Chicago Pavillion, where the event was to be held, is chaotic, with opponents of the controversial Republican frontrunner mounting the stage and supporters of Trump getting in physical fights on the floor of the venue.
Broadcasting live from the press area of the venue, CNN’s Jim Acosta declared on air “This is supposed to be American democracy, but what we have instead is total chaos.”
Updated
at 12.52am GMT
12.14am GMT
00:14
The University Village area of Chicago has been frozen by anti-Donald Trump protestors outside of the University of Illinois branch in the city.
#CHICAGO: Racine now BLOCKED Van Buren to Harrison... Harrison still CLOSED Racine to Morgan. #SkyCam9 pic.twitter.com/fHDiMyij3a
12.04am GMT
00:04
Lois Beckett
The Guardian’s Lois Beckett reports from the scene at a Donald Trump rally in St. Louis earlier today, where violence broke out between protestors and Trump supporters:
One of those supporters, Rudy Kelsey, 50, walked away from the conversation when one protester shouted that black people cannot be racist.
“I learned that black people still feel very discriminated against,” he said. “I told them them racism work both ways, and they said black people cannot be racist, and I said the dialogue’s over when you say that.”
Kelsey told the Guardian he had been discriminated against as a white man, because he was raised Amish.
“My ancestors fled Europe because of persecution,” he said. “My ancestors had their heads chopped off. They were burned at the stake and drowned.”
Growing up, he said, “we drove a horse and buggy instead of a car. We were Amish guys. We were the butt of every joke. My dad, he always raised us to be the best people that we could possibly be. Today I’m a successful self-made millionaire.”
Kelsey said he thought anyone could have that kind of success, “regardless of who you are or what your background is, but they obviously disagree with me very strongly out here. They say it’s still about color.”
While he was wearing a signed Trump hat, however, Kelsey said: “I’m not even sure I’m going to vote for him.” He said he had come to the rally out of curiosity; either way he was “absolutely” going to vote Republican.
Related: Violence breaks out near Trump rally in St Louis amid reports of racial slurs
11.55pm GMT
23:55
Ohio judge: 17-year-olds can vote in Tuesday's primary
Scott Bixby
In a potential victory for Vermont senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, an Ohio judge has ruled that 17-year-old Ohioans can vote in the Buckeye State’s upcoming primary election.
Ohio already allows all 17-year-olds to vote in congressional, legislative and mayoral primaries - as long as they will be 18 on Election Day - but the question of whether they can vote in a presidential primary had been unanswered. Nine Ohio teenagers filed a lawsuit over the interpretation of the law by Ohio’s secretary of state, which they claimed was an act of disenfranchisement.
“Plaintiffs are entitled to a judgment that the secretary abused his discretion,” judge Richard Frye of Franklin County said in his ruling, referring to Ohio secretary of state Jon Husted, a Republican who has vowed to appeal the ruling.
“This last minute legislating from the bench on election law has to stop,” Husted said in a statement. “Our system cannot give one county court the power to change 30 years of election law for the entire state of Ohio, 23 days into early voting and only four days before an election.”
“We will appeal this decision because if there is a close election on Tuesday we need clarity from the Supreme Court to make sure that ineligible voters don’t determine the outcome of an election. No matter the outcome of these disputes, I want 17-year-olds to know that they are eligible to vote on certain races and they should exercise that right,” Husted added.
The ruling, if ultimately successful, is a coup for the Sanders campaign, which enjoys high polling numbers among young voters. In nearby Iowa, Sanders won caucus voters under the age of 30 by a ratio of six to one - 84% to 14% - over competitor Hillary Clinton.
11.32pm GMT
23:32
Oliver Milman
The mayor of Miami Beach, one of the US cities most vulnerable to sea level rise, has criticized Marco Rubio after the presidential hopeful said that it’s not possible to “change the weather” or the rising oceans through government regulation.
Asked if he accepted the reality of human-induced climate change, Rubio said: “If the climate is changing, one of the reasons is because the climate has always been changing.”
Philip Levine, mayor of neighboring Miami Beach, said Rubio was “100% using the language of a climate change denier” and has overlooked the escalating problem of sea level increases for south Florida.
“Unfortunately, Senator Rubio went to his usual talking points, fed to him by his donors in the sugar and energy industry,” said Levine. “According to him, America shouldn’t be a leader in the greatest challenge of our generation. If he were around during World War II, he’d want us to sit on the sidelines and leave Britain to its fate.”
Related: Miami Beach mayor: Rubio '100%' sounds like a climate change denier
11.15pm GMT
23:15
Ciara McCarthy
The Guardian’s Ciara McCarthy has video of protestors being bodily removed from the location of Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Chicago.
Four young Muslim men were forcibly escorted from the UIC arena where Donald Trump is preparing to speak at 6 p.m. The men were wearing T-shirts that said “Muslims United Against Trump” under their sweatshirts. Authorities approached and asked them to lift up their outerwear, which the men did after authorities insisted. The men were escorted from the arena to cheers and chants of “USA! USA!” from the nearby crowd.
The men had previously waited in line to enter the arena wearing the handmade shirts before they said Secret Service agents asked them to get out of line and leave the area. The men returned to the line wearing sweatshirts over their t-shirts and were allowed to enter the arena.
Updated
at 11.27pm GMT
11.08pm GMT
23:08
Jorge Castañeda, a former Mexican foreign minister, has released an English campaign advertisement slamming Donald Trump for his rhetoric against Mexico. Castañeda originally made the call for prominent Mexicans to take a stand against Trump several months ago, but after a Spanish campaign video went viral on social media in the past several days he re-recorded the missive in English, adding on his own message: “I am not a rapist.”