It looks like a victory was won in Chicago, Ill., on the part of demonstrators at Donald Trump’s rally Friday (March 11). According to CNN, Trump’s campaign canceled his scheduled speech at the University of Illinois after protestors and his supporters reportedly engaged in various heated altercations.
Protests were held within the building and outside, which eventually forced authorities to cancel the event entirely due to security concerns. Throughout Trump’s national trek, protestors have made their voices heard in opposition to his racial rhetoric and discriminatory policies. Captured on various videos, protestors chanted “We stopped Trump,” after they received word the rally has ended.
The scene here after @realDonaldTrump canceled his Chicago rally. Protesters celebrate chanting “We stopped Trump” pic.twitter.com/EDRxcKtwGr
— Jeremy Diamond (@JDiamond1) March 12, 2016
If trump has the right to constantly spew ignorant hate, we have the right to protest. #ChicagoProtest
— Jess4Bernie2016 (@JessBudd3) March 12, 2016
Anti Trump protester #TrumpChicago pic.twitter.com/5lMsh64RmK
— Geoff Ziezulewicz (@JournoGeoffZ) March 11, 2016
Donald had to be stopped #TrumpRally pic.twitter.com/AMxsbhbv8i
— Mike Strypes (@mikestrypes) March 12, 2016
CHICAAAAAGO!!!! 👏🏽??
— MARSHA AMBROSIUS © (@MarshaAmbrosius) March 12, 2016
Chicago did the one thing nobody else in America has been able to do: Stop Trump from speaking.
— Matt Lindner (@mattlindner) March 12, 2016
Trump’s organization also issued a statement on the matter writing that upon his arrival in Chicago, “and after meeting with law enforcement, has determined that for the safety of all of the tens of thousands of people that have gathered in and around the arena, tonight’s rally will be postponed to another date.”
However, Trump’s personal words on the instance echoed a different sentiment when he referred to some of the protestors as “thugs.” He took to Twitter to post, “The organized group of people, many of them thugs, who shut down our First Amendment rights in Chicago, have totally energized America!”
The organized group of people, many of them thugs, who shut down our First Amendment rights in Chicago, have totally energized America!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2016
Protestors also utilized Kendrick Lamar’s energetic and reassuring track, “Alright,” to drive their message home.
#TrumpRally protesters chant “We gonna be alright” after announcement of a Trump no-show. pic.twitter.com/FXce08oWzI
— Chicago Reader (@Chicago_Reader) March 12, 2016