Donald Trump’s failed Chicago rally

CHICAGO – A strong turnout of organized protesters caused Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to postpone one of his signature rallies here Friday evening. 

The event at the University of Illinois Chicago ended before the GOP frontrunner ever took the stage, but not before dozens of people were pre-emptively removed from the venue by security. Pockets of isolated confrontations could be seen as tensions ran high after the event was called off, though no arrests were immediately reported. 

If Trump was picking a fight by picking a school known for its strong stances on civil and minority rights and large minority student population, he almost got it. The response that emerged from the crowd upon the announcement that Trump would be a no show suggested that, for the first time at one of these events, the amount of protesters might actually outnumber supporters—despite efforts to cull dissenters from the ranks. 

Yahoo News witnessed several ejections before the event was called off, including that of two white male protesters who were wearing t-shirts that read “Muslims United Against Trump” – scrawled in black marker – on the back, and “Say No to Hate” on the front. 

The crowd at the UIC Pavilion on Chicago’s West side erupts in celebration on March 11, 2016, after it is announced that Donald Trump will postpone his rally here. (Photo: Caitlin Dickson/Yahoo News)While many individuals who were removed from the venue had at least been vocal before being engaged by security, the two young men were escorted out before apparently engaging in any disruptive behavior. The security guard who removed the two said it wasn’t up to him who got kicked out, but that maintaining the safety of all in attendance was his primary concern at the event. “Last time I worked here it was for an Isley Brothers concert, as far as I’m concerned I’m doing the same job,” the unnamed guard told Yahoo News. “This is more interesting.“  Outside, Chicago police officers on horseback corralled protesters behind barricades. Several cars drove by waving huge Mexican flags as the neighborhood was energized by both protesters and supporters, who were separated by a large law enforcement presence. Undeterred by the evening’s setback, Trump conducted several phone interviews with TV news outlets after the postponement, crediting public frustration with the U.S. economic conditions for the open defiance in Chicago – not any reflection of his campaign positions, rhetoric or the ongoing complaints of how protesters have been handled at his events."Our businesses are being taken away from us, our businesses are being moved out of the country,” Trump told Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren. “This is a demonstration against economic conditions on both sides.”Liberal activist organization MoveOn.org, which has endorsed Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, claimed some responsibility for organizing “student leaders who organized nonviolent protest against Trump’s violence & hate.”The behavior of those in the crowd suggests the protest was carefully planned. Despite the effort of security to weed out potential unrest in advance – Yahoo News witnessed a man in a grey suit wearing a Trump pin approach a band of young and apparently Middle Eastern men and ask them if they’d like Trump signs in an effort to establish their allegiance – when the announcement of postponement was made, the arena largely went nuts. 

UIC students and dozens of faculty had initially tried to get the rally cancelled. When that didn’t work, protesters planned to deliberately RSVP’d for tickets and showed up to the event, then stayed quiet at first so as not to attract attention.