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| Trump cancels Chicago rally amid violence and chaos – as it happened | Trump cancels Chicago rally amid violence and chaos – as it happened |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 5.23am GMT | |
| 05:23 | |
| Our live coverage of the extraordinary scenes in Chicago has come to a close but you can read the full report here by our reporters filing straight from the scene. | |
| Here is a quick summary of the day’s events on the campaign trail: | |
| • Protesters in Chicago have forced the shutdown of a Donald Trump rally before it even began. Heated scenes that simmered between anti-Trump demonstrators and his supporters at the University of Illinois Chicago Pavilion boiled over when the campaign announced he would not be appearing, citing safety concerns | |
| • Earlier a Trump rally in St Louis also gave rise to scenes of violence and disorder, with police making 32 arrests and at least one person left bloodied and needing an ambulance | |
| • Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, had to backtrack after comments at Nancy Reagan’s funeral that appeared to gloss over the Reagans’ troubling legacy in the fight against HIV/Aids | |
| • Bernie Sanders received a boost when a judge gave the go-ahead for 17-year-olds to vote in the Ohio primary | |
| Updated | |
| at 5.24am GMT | |
| 4.21am GMT | 4.21am GMT |
| 04:21 | 04:21 |
| Another day in American political chaos | Another day in American political chaos |
| On the streets of Chicago, scenes of violence and chaos unparalleled in the recent history of American political campaigning have unfolded since Donald Trump’s campaign announced the postponement of a rally in America’s “Second City.” | On the streets of Chicago, scenes of violence and chaos unparalleled in the recent history of American political campaigning have unfolded since Donald Trump’s campaign announced the postponement of a rally in America’s “Second City.” |
| This is unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/upV2ewROwL | This is unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/upV2ewROwL |
| The cancellation of the rally due to “safety concerns” created unruly scenes inside the Chicago Pavilion of the University of Illinois and in the street outside. Scuffles and fights broke out between Trump supporters, protesters and police, and a number of arrests were made, including of at least one reporter. As mayhem took place in Chicago, Trump took to the airwaves to tell his side of the story, telling MSNBC: “It’s sad when you can’t have a rally. Whatever happened to freedom of speech?” | The cancellation of the rally due to “safety concerns” created unruly scenes inside the Chicago Pavilion of the University of Illinois and in the street outside. Scuffles and fights broke out between Trump supporters, protesters and police, and a number of arrests were made, including of at least one reporter. As mayhem took place in Chicago, Trump took to the airwaves to tell his side of the story, telling MSNBC: “It’s sad when you can’t have a rally. Whatever happened to freedom of speech?” |
| There is a long history of violence at Trump events. In the past week alone, an attack on a non-violent protester led to criminal charges against a Trump supporter and Michelle Fields, a reporter for conservative website Breitbart News, was allegedly assaulted by Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s campaign manager. | There is a long history of violence at Trump events. In the past week alone, an attack on a non-violent protester led to criminal charges against a Trump supporter and Michelle Fields, a reporter for conservative website Breitbart News, was allegedly assaulted by Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s campaign manager. |
| Trump has played a role in encouraging this culture of violence. When the Republican frontrunner appeared in St. Louis earlier on Friday, an event that featured more than 30 arrests, he complained “part of the problem and part of the reason it takes so long [to kick protesters out] is nobody wants to hurt each other anymore.” Trump added “There used to be consequences. There are none anymore. These people are so bad for our country. You have no idea folks, you have no idea.” | Trump has played a role in encouraging this culture of violence. When the Republican frontrunner appeared in St. Louis earlier on Friday, an event that featured more than 30 arrests, he complained “part of the problem and part of the reason it takes so long [to kick protesters out] is nobody wants to hurt each other anymore.” Trump added “There used to be consequences. There are none anymore. These people are so bad for our country. You have no idea folks, you have no idea.” |
| The scenes of violence sparked condemnation from Trump’s top rival for the GOP nomination, Texas senator Ted Cruz. “A campaign bears responsibility for creating an environment,” said Cruz at a press conference. “The predictable consequence of [Trump’s comments] is it escalates. Today is unlikely to be the last such instance.” | The scenes of violence sparked condemnation from Trump’s top rival for the GOP nomination, Texas senator Ted Cruz. “A campaign bears responsibility for creating an environment,” said Cruz at a press conference. “The predictable consequence of [Trump’s comments] is it escalates. Today is unlikely to be the last such instance.” |
| In a statement, Ohio governor John Kasich echoed this condemnation. “Tonight the seeds of division that Donald Trump has been sowing this whole campaign finally bore fruit, and it was ugly.” | In a statement, Ohio governor John Kasich echoed this condemnation. “Tonight the seeds of division that Donald Trump has been sowing this whole campaign finally bore fruit, and it was ugly.” |
| Political violence on the scale witnessed on Friday is rare in American politics. Famously, the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago witnessed repeated clashes between the police and anti-war protesters culminating in what a federal commission called “a police riot.” But the three-way conflict between Trump supporters and protesters with the police caught in the middle is something unusual and represents a disturbing trend in an election where many of the norms and mores of American politics have already gone by the wayside. | Political violence on the scale witnessed on Friday is rare in American politics. Famously, the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago witnessed repeated clashes between the police and anti-war protesters culminating in what a federal commission called “a police riot.” But the three-way conflict between Trump supporters and protesters with the police caught in the middle is something unusual and represents a disturbing trend in an election where many of the norms and mores of American politics have already gone by the wayside. |
| In the meantime though, the protesters had outwardly succeeded in their goal for the evening. As one, Violet Ornelas, 28, gleefully proclaimed the Guardian: “If he can’t even handle Chicago, what makes think he could handle Isis?” | In the meantime though, the protesters had outwardly succeeded in their goal for the evening. As one, Violet Ornelas, 28, gleefully proclaimed the Guardian: “If he can’t even handle Chicago, what makes think he could handle Isis?” |
| 4.15am GMT | 4.15am GMT |
| 04:15 | 04:15 |
| Onetime presidential candidate and former speaker of the house of representatives Newt Gingrich believes that tonight’s events in Chicago are the result of fascism - liberal fascism, particularly. | Onetime presidential candidate and former speaker of the house of representatives Newt Gingrich believes that tonight’s events in Chicago are the result of fascism - liberal fascism, particularly. |
| So the real American fascists stopped Trump rally tonight.Fascism in modern America is on the left--on college campuses, in left wing groups | So the real American fascists stopped Trump rally tonight.Fascism in modern America is on the left--on college campuses, in left wing groups |
| 4.07am GMT | 4.07am GMT |
| 04:07 | 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: | 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 | Gov. Kasich's statement on tonight's events in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/5viJndjKu6 |
| 3.59am GMT | 3.59am GMT |
| 03:59 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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.” | “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?” | 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 | Related: Chaos and fights in Chicago as Trump postpones rally over safety concerns |
| 3.53am GMT | 3.53am GMT |
| 03:53 | 03:53 |
| Dramatic footage of an injured Chicago police officer outside of the University of Illinois: | 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 | Officer injured during protest at van Buren & racine #TrumpRally #Trump pic.twitter.com/34r33vfwOS |
| 3.46am GMT | 3.46am GMT |
| 03:46 | 03:46 |
| The Chicago Tribune captured this photograph outside of Donald Trump’s aborted rally at the University of Illinois’ Chicago branch tonight: | 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 | Trump cancels Chicago rally amid security concerns https://t.co/LVEGWkrAQ7 #Chicago #DonaldTrump photo by @ejwamb pic.twitter.com/tF1NTu8qui |
| 3.42am GMT | 3.42am GMT |
| 03:42 | 03:42 |
| Lucia Graves | Lucia Graves |
| “When will the first pro-Donald Trump murder happen?” | “When will the first pro-Donald Trump murder happen?” |
| That’s what Lucia Graves wants to know. | That’s what Lucia Graves wants to know. |
| Related: Donald Trump's campaign violence is condoned all the way to the top | Lucia Graves | Related: Donald Trump's campaign violence is condoned all the way to the top | Lucia Graves |
| 3.38am GMT | 3.38am GMT |
| 03:38 | 03:38 |
| Scott Bixby | Scott 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 GMT | 3.31am GMT |
| 03:31 | 03:31 |
| 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/8EU7mEgnjO | CBS 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 GMT | 3.21am GMT |
| 03:21 | 03:21 |
| 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 GMT | 3.07am GMT |
| 03:07 | 03:07 |
| 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/BX0HVxo4px | CPD 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.11am GMT | at 3.11am GMT |
| 2.52am GMT | 2.52am GMT |
| 02:52 | 02:52 |
| Rubio, Cruz address Trump rally violence | Rubio, 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 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.12am GMT | at 3.12am GMT |