Protests Planned For Donald Trump During Dallas Visit
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Violence outside a Donald Trump rally in San Jose raised questions about what will happen when the presumptive Republican nominee visits Dallas next Thursday.
Former Democratic State Representative Domingo Garcia is among those planning to organize protests at a Trump rally and fundraiser.
Garcia said they want to protest what he calls Trump's offensive statements about Latinos, Muslims, and women.
Garcia rejects violence.
"It is a concern. We're going to train our people, have our own security and we're going to work with the Dallas Police Department and make sure if we have any trouble-makers like that, they're going to be taken out of the protest immediately," said Garcia.
What adds to the concern is an ad found on Craigslist that offers to pay $15 an hour plus travel expenses to anyone who disrupts Trump's rallies.
Sara Legvold, a Donald Trump supporter, strongly disagrees with those tactics.
"It's inciting violence and mayhem. I don't have a problem with them protesting if they're peacefully doing it. When they get violent, that's different, that's criminality," said Legvold.
While Trump has received sharp criticism for his comments on illegal immigrants from Mexico and keeping Muslims from coming to the U.S. until there's a proper system in place to vet them, Legvold said, "He's standing up and destroying political correctness, and I'm a big fan of that."
Activist Carlos Quintinilla, along with Garcia, plans to bring as many as 3,000 protestors to the upscale shopping center Highland Park Village.
They want to send a message to the center's owner Ray Washburne, a vice-chair of Trump's Victory committee.
Activists said they will also protest at a Taco Diner restaurant, owned by M Crowd Restaurant Group, another company belonging to Washburne.
Quintinilla insists the protestors won't be paid.
"We reject that. That's not the message we want to do. We're not motivating people by paying them to protest against Donald Trump. We're motivating people against Donald Trump because they believe in the democratic process of speaking out," said Quintinilla.
In a statement, Washburne said, "I am a private citizen and longtime supporter of the Republican Party, not all of the views and opinions expressed by candidates are reflective of my personal beliefs."
Washburne said the fundraiser won't be at his house.
Rob Viveros, CEO of M Crowd Restaurant Group said, "For 25 years, M Crowd restaurants, including Taco Diner and Mi Cocina, have been committed to developing and supporting our extended family of more than 2,000 employees. Our company and founders, Bob McNutt, Ray Washburne, and Dick Washburn, remain dedicated to helping our staff thrive and our restaurants will continue to serve the highest quality food complimented by warm and professional service."
No word yet where Trump's rally will be held Thursday.
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