This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2016/mar/11/us-elections-ben-carson-donald-trump-endorsement-live

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 22 Version 23
Cruz and Rubio blame Trump for violence at Chicago rally – live Cruz and Rubio blame Trump for violence at Chicago rally – live
(35 minutes later)
4.07am GMT
04:07
Republican presidential candidate and Ohio governor John Kasich has released a statement regarding tonight’s events in Chicago, blaming the unrest on “the seeds of division” sown by the Trump campaign:
Gov. Kasich's statement on tonight's events in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/5viJndjKu6
3.59am GMT
03:59
Reporting live from the Chicago Pavilion at the University of Illinois, the Guardian’s Ben Jacobs, Zach Stafford and Ciara McCarthy write that the scene of Donald Trump’s aborted rally is tense.
Outside, more than a thousand protesters gathered, shutting down the streets. Chanting “We are not tired”, they blocked a street intersection and set up a microphone and speakers. Police helicopters whirled overhead in an outbreak of political violence unprecedented, in Chicago at least, since 1968 Democratic National Convention.
Trump, who repeated previous criticisms of protesters at his rally as “extremely dangerous and extremely physical”, made the connection himself, telling MSNBC: “I think a lot of people said that it was wrong that we were really stopped from holding a rally. It didn’t have to be stopped.
“But if we held it people would’ve potentially been hurt and I didn’t want to see people hurt. Chicago’s the home of some very very bad rallies. Just look back at the conventions here … people were killed.”
At the venue, one protester gleefully mocked Trump. Violet Ornelas, 28, told the Guardian: “If he can’t even handle Chicago, what makes think he could handle Isis?”
Related: Chaos and fights in Chicago as Trump postpones rally over safety concerns
3.53am GMT
03:53
Dramatic footage of an injured Chicago police officer outside of the University of Illinois:
Officer injured during protest at van Buren & racine #TrumpRally #Trump pic.twitter.com/34r33vfwOS
3.46am GMT
03:46
The Chicago Tribune captured this photograph outside of Donald Trump’s aborted rally at the University of Illinois’ Chicago branch tonight:
Trump cancels Chicago rally amid security concerns https://t.co/LVEGWkrAQ7 #Chicago #DonaldTrump photo by @ejwamb pic.twitter.com/tF1NTu8qui
3.42am GMT
03:42
Lucia Graves
“When will the first pro-Donald Trump murder happen?”
That’s what Lucia Graves wants to know.
Related: Donald Trump's campaign violence is condoned all the way to the top | Lucia Graves
3.38am GMT3.38am GMT
03:3803:38
Scott BixbyScott Bixby
The notoriously anti-Trump New York Daily News has released a sneak preview of tomorrow’s woodcut:The notoriously anti-Trump New York Daily News has released a sneak preview of tomorrow’s woodcut:
3.31am GMT3.31am GMT
03:3103:31
CBS News reporter Sopan Deb, who has been on the Donald Trump campaign trail, has been detailed while reporting in Chicago:CBS News reporter Sopan Deb, who has been on the Donald Trump campaign trail, has been detailed while reporting in Chicago:
CBS News' @sopandeb has been detained while reporting in Chicago. Awaiting more information - https://t.co/8EU7mEgnjOCBS News' @sopandeb has been detained while reporting in Chicago. Awaiting more information - https://t.co/8EU7mEgnjO
An editor’s note on a CBS dispatch says:An editor’s note on a CBS dispatch says:
In the midst of reporting on this event, CBS News’ Sopan Deb was detained by law enforcement. We are awaiting more information on the circumstances and will continue to update our report.In the midst of reporting on this event, CBS News’ Sopan Deb was detained by law enforcement. We are awaiting more information on the circumstances and will continue to update our report.
This was the reporter’s last tweet before he was detained:This was the reporter’s last tweet before he was detained:
I've never seen anything like what I'm witnessing in my life.I've never seen anything like what I'm witnessing in my life.
3.21am GMT3.21am GMT
03:2103:21
Donald Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that he was glad he canceled his rally in Chicago:Donald Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that he was glad he canceled his rally in Chicago:
We’re very conscious of the fact that we don’t want anybody to be hurt ... Tonight, virtually nobody is even hurt. We made a very good decision ... We worked very closely with law enforcement and they gave us some really good advice.We’re very conscious of the fact that we don’t want anybody to be hurt ... Tonight, virtually nobody is even hurt. We made a very good decision ... We worked very closely with law enforcement and they gave us some really good advice.
Trump also argued that the coverage of the conflicts has been biased against him:Trump also argued that the coverage of the conflicts has been biased against him:
It’s a lot easier for people in life to be a liberal democrat. You have a double standard like nobody can believe. If conservatives and republicans ever did that to a liberal rally, it would be a national disgrace. It would be all over every paper for weeks.It’s a lot easier for people in life to be a liberal democrat. You have a double standard like nobody can believe. If conservatives and republicans ever did that to a liberal rally, it would be a national disgrace. It would be all over every paper for weeks.
Trump further claimed that generally his protesters are the violent ones – not his supporters. “In some cases, they are being very violent ... I see it, because I’m making a speech. I’m on the platform. I’m able to see it. I see some people that are really bad. They’re bad dudes.”Trump further claimed that generally his protesters are the violent ones – not his supporters. “In some cases, they are being very violent ... I see it, because I’m making a speech. I’m on the platform. I’m able to see it. I see some people that are really bad. They’re bad dudes.”
If Trump supporters hit protesters, it’s usually self defense, he added: “When the punches are thrown back, it’s always their fault. It’s so unfair.”If Trump supporters hit protesters, it’s usually self defense, he added: “When the punches are thrown back, it’s always their fault. It’s so unfair.”
3.07am GMT3.07am GMT
03:0703:07
Chicago police officials say they did not advise Donald Trump to cancel his rally, which attracted thousands of protesters. The AP reports:Chicago police officials say they did not advise Donald Trump to cancel his rally, which attracted thousands of protesters. The AP reports:
A spokesman for the Chicago Police Department says the agency never recommended that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump cancel his campaign rally in the city.A spokesman for the Chicago Police Department says the agency never recommended that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump cancel his campaign rally in the city.
CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi tells The Associated Press that the department never told the Trump campaign there was a security threat at the University of Illinois at Chicago venue. He said the department had sufficient manpower on the scene to handle any situation.CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi tells The Associated Press that the department never told the Trump campaign there was a security threat at the University of Illinois at Chicago venue. He said the department had sufficient manpower on the scene to handle any situation.
CPD statement on Trump event at @uicPAVILION pic.twitter.com/BX0HVxo4pxCPD statement on Trump event at @uicPAVILION pic.twitter.com/BX0HVxo4px
Trump, speaking on Fox News, said his campaign met with security officials and they decided to cancel the event for safety reasons:Trump, speaking on Fox News, said his campaign met with security officials and they decided to cancel the event for safety reasons:
It was so sad ... We were going to have a great rally.It was so sad ... We were going to have a great rally.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.11am GMTat 3.11am GMT
2.52am GMT2.52am GMT
02:5202:52
Rubio, Cruz address Trump rally violenceRubio, Cruz address Trump rally violence
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: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.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.”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: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.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.”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.”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.@tedcruz responds to protests at @realDonaldTrump's rally, says"responsibility starts at the top." https://t.co/9kvFOYtExN
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.12am GMTat 3.12am 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 GMT
02:24
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:
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.”
2.19am GMT
02:19
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/wy4O8x5hKQ
Anti trump protesters are jeering people as they leave the garage pic.twitter.com/ZwjudMGnNB
2.04am GMT
02:04
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:
Trump 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/L7oB1eekMw
Scenes 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:
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.”
1.46am GMT
01:46
Ciara McCarthy
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 GMT
01:38
Scott 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.
“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.”
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.
“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.
Updated
at 1.47am GMT
1.31am GMT
01:31
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.
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.
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.
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 concerns
Updated
at 2.32am GMT
1.27am GMT
01:27
Donald Trump: "Whatever happened to freedom of speech?"
Scott 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.”
“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.
“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?”
Updated
at 1.28am GMT
1.17am GMT
01:17
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?
Updated
at 1.18am GMT