Street brawls and arrests at Donald Trump rally as protesters clash with presidential candidate’s supporters
Protesters snatched Republican nominee hats & burned them
A CROWD of protesters violently clashed with Donald Trump supporters outside a rally in California.
Shocking pictures show people openly brawling in the street in San Jose last night.
Many protesters carried Mexican flags as they grabbed Trump hats and set them on fire.
A woman was pelted with an egg during the chaotic riot.
In the confusion a Trump protester punched a man who he believed to be a supporter.
It was later discovered that the assaulted man was also there to protest against the Republican nominee.
The 300 protesters tried to move towards the San Jose Convention Centre, where Trump was speaking.
Video recorded at the scene shows people from both sides punching and shoving each other as well as protesters spitting at supporters, egging them and even throwing bottles at them as they attempted to flee back to their vehicles.
Later on the violence took an even more frightening turn when some anti-Trump protesters are understood to have surrounded the car of a presumed supporter as it was leaving the building's car park.
In the clip broadcasted by ABC protesters can be seen shaking the car and smashing its taillight.
Others also surrounded and banged on nearby police cars.
Cops tried to take back control of the scene by blasting messages over loudspeakers telling the crowds to go home but around 100 to 200 defiant protesters stayed on - taunting riot-gear wearing police.
Even as around 200 officers began marching in lines to push the crowd out of downtown San Jose - some continued to threw things at them including street signs and empty cans.
Those against Trump’s appearance in San Jose waved homemade signs emblazoned with ‘dump trump’ and ‘make America native again’.
But presumptive Republican nominee Trump appeared to not be bothered by the violent clashes.
He appeared outside the centre shortly before the rally to greet his supporters.
The San Jose Police Department said it "made a few arrests" after the event, and confirmed that one of its officers was assaulted during the demonstration.
A spokesman told US broadcaster ABC last night: "As of this time we do not have specific information on the arrests made. There has been no significant property damage reported."
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo told The Associated Press: “Our police officers have done an extremely courageous and professional job so far.
“We're all still holding our breath to see the outcome of this dangerous and explosive situation.
“At some point Donald Trump needs to take responsibility for the irresponsible behaviour of his campaign.”
Trump’s appearance in San Jose has divided opinion in the city.
Shocking video footage from yesterday's events shows protesters attacking supporters and cops in what appears to be one the most violent clashes at a Trump rally yet.
Community college student Adam Rivas, 22, said: “For any one Mexican here he bashes, there are about 20 Mexicans out there who are hard-working and just doing their job.”
But there are many who are vocal in support of the property mogul.
US Navy veteran Debbie Tracey said: “I'll go help build the wall because if you are going to come to this country, land of opportunity, you should be here legally.”
The riot and brawl came after the nominee said that a judge should be removed over his Mexican heritage.
The Indiana-born judge is involved in a case about Trump University.
Trump spoke for 50 minutes at the conference centre yesterday.
Before the violence erupted at around 7.30pm local time, Trump fans had listened to the presumptive Republican nominee go after Hillary Clinton - just hours after the Democratic presidential hopeful gave a long speech on foreign policy that Trump described as "pathetic."
He said: "I watched Hillary today. It was pathetic. It was so sad to watch, and you know, she's up there and supposed to be a foreign policy speech — it was a political speech."
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