Violence erupted at yet another Donald Trump rally Saturday when a protester was hit and kicked by a Trump supporter and Trump’s campaign manager was seen yanking the collar of a demonstrator on video.
Video posted by NBC News’ Frank Thorp V and another witness shows security personnel escorting a protester out of the Tucson Convention Center, after which a black man is seen grabbing the person and unleashing a series of punches and kicks that send the protester to the ground.
VIOLENCE at another Donald Trump rally, this time in Tucson, AZ. Man hits and kicks protester: pic.twitter.com/7FWuSeE0Jt
It is striking that one of the few Trump supporters arrested for attacking protesters in recent months was African-American. There have been far fewer arrests for assault at Trump rallies than reported incidents of violence, according to a HuffPost analysis.
Many protesters were in the stadium, including a group of people holding "Dump Trump" posters. Trump’s security staff removed many while he spoke.
The "Dump Trump" section is slowly being escorted out. I spotted some shoving. pic.twitter.com/1VnGoqnowM
At the start of his speech, Trump appeared to heed the advice of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who asked him to condemn violence at his rallies after a string of violent incidents raised GOP concerns about Trump’s viability in the general election.
"We love our protesters, don’t we?" Trump said after the first protester spoke out off camera.
But 10 minutes into Trump’s speech, two protesters, one wearing a Ku Klux Klan mask, were escorted out, and Trump changed his tone.
"That is a disgusting guy, really disgusting," he continued. “Get him out of here, get him out,” he said, prompting loud cheers.
"They're troublemakers, they're no good, and we have to be careful," Trump said. "We've gotta take our country back, folks. We gotta take our country back, very simple."
Trump also brought out his familiar rhetoric of "making America great again," and his lament that the U.S. "doesn’t win anymore." He also restated his intention to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border at Mexico's expense. Later, he brought onstage a woman holding a "Latinos Support Trump" sign.
Trump brings up a woman holding a "Latino Support Trump" sign. "LATINOOOS!" Trump said when he saw the sign. pic.twitter.com/zMAVTZjAPH
In addition to the attack on the protester, a video taken during the rally by CBS News’ Jacqueline Alemany appears to show Trump’s campaign manager Corey Lewandowski grabbing a protester by the collar of his shirt.
Here is Donald Trump's campaign manager in the Tucson crowd grabbing the collar of a protester. pic.twitter.com/JZ9RntWlHY
Earlier on Saturday, three people were arrested after protesters blocked off a road near a Trump rally in Fountain Hills Park, Arizona. In Chicago, Trump’s rally was canceled after thousands of protesters overwhelmed campaign staff and security, resulting in clashes and arrests. One day later in Kansas City, Missouri, demonstrators were pepper-sprayed and some were arrested.
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At least 55 people have been arrested or cited in connection with Trump events from Feb. 29 to March 19, according to a HuffPost survey of police departments. And there is a long way yet to go in the 2016 presidential campaign.
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