ANAHEIM POLICE VIGILANT FOR VIOLENCE AT PROTEST
“Everyone has the right to participate without fear of violence or disorder.” Raul Quezada, Anaheim police chief
Afew dozen people protested quietly outside a Donald Trump appearance in Anaheim, Calif., on Wednesday, one day after a demonstration outside a New Mexico event exploded in chaos as protesters trampled barricades, hurled bottles and burned Trump gear.
Anaheim Police Chief Raul Quezada promised “swift and decisive action” if violence flared outside the Anaheim Convention Center.
“While we recognize and respect the First Amendment rights of all individuals to express their viewpoints and protest peacefully, we will not tolerate violence or disobedience of the law during the upcoming rally in Anaheim,” Quezada said.
A heavy police presence greeted the protesters, including scores of officers, some on horseback. Sgt. Daron Wyatt, spokesman for the department, said the police presence for the Anaheim event was much larger than at the Albuquerque rally. He said the protest was under control.
Quezada warned that protesters could face arrest if found blocking sidewalks, interfering with vehicular and pedestrian traffic or “directly advocating violence or imminent lawless activity.”
“Everyone has the right to participate without fear of violence or disorder, and we are prepared to take swift and decisive enforcement action should it become necessary,” he said.
The Albuquerque unrest, the latest in a series of sometimes chaotic protests inside and outside Trump events across the nation, drew thousands of Trump supporters inside the city’s convention center.
Hundreds of far less enamored citizens made a statement outside. Protest banners included “I am not a rapist or a drug dealer” and “Women are the silent majority: We do not stand with Trump.” The protesters, some hurling objects, chanted, “Walk of shame!” at Trump supporters along a sidewalk that leads to the center.
Police in riot gear fired smoke grenades to quell the disturbance, and several officers were injured. Police re-established the barricades and stopped most of the protesters outside the building. Some eluded security and made it inside, and several were dragged out after repeatedly trying to interrupt Trump.
“They’re Bernie Sanders supporters,” Trump said, adding that many Sanders supporters would vote for Trump in November. He was typically dismissive of many of the demonstrators, repeating that they should “go home to their mommas.”
His Twitter review of the protesters outside was blunt.
“The protesters in New Mexico were thugs who were flying the Mexican flag,” Trump tweeted. “The rally inside was big and beautiful, but outside, criminals!”