Protesters clash at violent pro-Trump rally in US

International Desk: Violence erupted at a “Make America Great Again” rally in California Saturday when supporters of President Trump clashed with a group of counter-protesters.

Multiple skirmishes broke out after a group of black-clad Trump haters confronted dozens of the President’s supporters as they marched through Huntington Beach.

At least two Trump fans were hit with pepper-spray — setting in motion a wild fracas that saw the President’s supporters attacking a masked man with their fists, feet and flags.

“I hit him five times with the flag over his head,” Travis Guenther, who was wielding a “Make America Great Again” flag, boasted to the Los Angeles Times.

Jennifer Sterling, who organized the rally, was among those struck by pepper spray. “It was a quick reaction,” she said. “There was about 12 of them.”

Four counter-protesters were arrested, three for illegal use of pepper spray and one for assault and battery, authorities said.

A video obtained by the Los Angeles Times showed a group of Trump supporters force to the ground and then pummel a man dressed in all black.

“You can’t run. You can’t hide,” a Trump fan yells at the man after his pals helped shepherd him away.

A second clip showed the flag-waving marchers chase the man onto the Pacific Coast Highway.

Steele Vaz, 17, said he jumped to Sterling’s defense after a group of masked demonstrators began attacking her.

“I was here to support [Trump] but I didn't know it was going to be violent,” said Vaz, of Huntington Beach. “They sprayed her. They were punching her.”

More than 1,500 miles away, counter-protesters also caused chaos at a Trump rally in Omaha.

Black-clad demonstrators clashed with police after roughly 100 Trump supporters gathered near the Douglas County Courthouse, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

More than a dozen officers, some on horses and bikes, attempted to block the path of the counter-protesters.

The scene quickly grew tense, with the officers firing pepper balls that released a stinging gas, the paper reported.

At least three people were arrested, authorities said.

The ruckus did not disrupt the rally, but it saddened some of the Trump supporters.

“Today was a perfect example of how divided we have all gotten,” said Shayla McShannon, 36.

Agencies


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