Police Brace For Possible Protests At Trump Anaheim Rally
ANAHEIM (CBS/AP) — Police are readying for the possibility of protests at a Donald Trump rally in Orange County Wednesday after a similar event drew raucous anti-Trump demonstrations that blocked traffic and damaged police cars.
Authorities have not been informed of any large scale protests but will boost staffing for Trump's noon rally at the 7,500-seat Anaheim Convention Center arena as a precaution, said Anaheim police Sgt. Daron Wyatt.
"We're hoping that people mind their p's and q's but if they don't, we're prepared to take swift and decisive enforcement action," he said. Demonstrators can protest peacefully so long as they don't block traffic or engage in violence, he said.
Last month, anti-Trump demonstrators took to the streets outside a similar event in nearby Costa Mesa, damaging police cars and throwing bottles. At least 17 people were arrested.
Two days earlier, supporters and opponents of Trump clashed outside Anaheim's city hall as elected officials discussed a proposed anti-Trump resolution. Police said five people were pepper-sprayed by a demonstrator during that confrontation.
The Republican presidential nominee has drawn thousands of ardent supporters to his events but also passionate critics of his plans to build a wall on the Mexican border and his comments about immigrants and Muslims.
His appearances have generated protests in other states as well, most recently Tuesday night in Albuquerque, N.M.m, when demonstrators outside a rally clashed with police. Officials said several officers were hurt by rocks and at least one person was arrested.
On Tuesday, Democratic party leaders urged any protesters to act peacefully and condemned Trump's proposals on immigration.
"He is a racist, he is a bigot," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told reporters in a phone conference. "He can't just turn into a normal candidate."
The Anaheim rally won't be Trump's only Southern California appearance Wednesday. He is also scheduled to tape an appearance Wednesday night on the late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and attend a fundraiser at the Brentwood home of real estate investor Thomas Barrack Jr.
The fundraiser marks a shift in fundraising by Trump, who has largely funded his own campaign so far but is now partnering with the Republican National Committee so he can secure larger donations to bankroll what is expected to be a costly general election battle in November.
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