Video taken outside Donald Trump’s Kansas City, Missouri rally on Saturday night shows police officers pepper spraying demonstrators, adding to the wave of violence following the campaign of the Republican frontrunner.
The video shows protesters outside the Midland Theatre being hit with several cans of pepper spray by officers who were there controlling the crowds.
As you can see, we were far from what happened and were not involved but he in walked up spraying us pic.twitter.com/f22WB5FAAG
— Chris (@stokith) March 13, 2016
Police Chief Darryl Forté said that officers were deployed to the scene outside Trump’s rally to disperse more than 200 people he claimed were preparing to fight. The department confirmed that pepper spray was used twice, and Forté defended the move.
We had to use pepper spray 2 times outside Trump rally and arrested 2 people who refused to follow law. (1/2)
— Kansas City Police (@kcpolice) March 13, 2016
.@kcpolice used short burst of fogger to disperse 2 large groups (200+) preparing to fight. Excellent preventive measure. Maintained order
— chiefforte (@ChiefForte) March 13, 2016
Got pepper sprayed even though I was on the sidewalk where I was supposed to be. Pardon the language. #TrumpRallyKC
A video posted by @jakelupardus on
Mar 12, 2016 at 8:56pm PST
He called the use of the pepper spray “an excellent preventive measure.” Police were doing an “excellent job of crowd management while allowing free speech,” he tweeted.
.@kcpolice doing excellent job of crowd management while allowing free speech.Protesters have been unable to significantly disrupt event.
— chiefforte (@ChiefForte) March 13, 2016
"When you look at the video, it looks bad," Forté told the Kansas City Star. "But the officers were in danger on both sides."
Witnesses said that some protesters had locked arms and confronted officers.
You can kick us out the rally, but GASSING us when we are peacefully protesting on public property is TOO FAR pic.twitter.com/kWESXTpO5o
— Maeghan Thomas (@maeghaman) March 13, 2016
Images posted to social media showed people pouring milk over their eyes as an antidote for the irritating agent used by officers.
Milk for those who say they were sprayed with pepper spray by police. pic.twitter.com/36anfanHVQ
— Trymaine Lee (@trymainelee) March 13, 2016
Protesters say police have pepper sprayed people at Trump Rally pic.twitter.com/Jo7Zd1pDGA
— Trymaine Lee (@trymainelee) March 13, 2016
Police said two people were arrested, and no one was injured.
Inside the theater, Trump spent a large part of his speech deriding protesters and instructing security to kick out "Bernie supporters" and "disruptors." He said that he wanted to start "pressing charges" against those who protested at his events.
"I hope these guys get thrown in jail," he said. "It'll destroy their record, they'll have to explain to mom and dad why they have a police record and why they can't get a job."
Following the cancellation of Trump’s Chicago rally on Friday, Trump claimed that he had been advised by police to scrap the Kansas City event as well. Chief Forté later said "I’m not aware of any discussion about canceling the event."
The Kansas City incident is just the latest instance of violence at Trump events. Earlier on Saturday, a man rushed the stage while Trump was speaking in Dayton, Ohio, a day after the clashes in Chicago. On Wednesday, a Trump supporter punched a protester in the face at a rally in North Carolina. The controversy has even entangled Trump’s campaign manager, who is accused of assaulting Breitbart News reporter Michelle Fields.
Editor's note: Donald Trump is a serial liar, rampant xenophobe, racist, misogynist,
birther and bully who has repeatedly pledged to ban all Muslims -- 1.6 billion members of an entire religion -- from entering the U.S.
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