Scott Powers
Donald Trump canceled a rally at a college basketball arena in Chicago Friday night after thousands of protesters showed up inside and out, and police warned him they had serious public safety concerns.
“Mr. Trump just arrived 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,” read a statement his campaign released Friday night.
“Thank you very much for your attendance and please go in peace,” the statement concludes.
The Chicago Tribune reports that after the announcement was read inside the University of Illinois at Chicago Pavilion thousands of people filed out and began mixing with thousands of protesters outside, leading to a few pushes and shoves.
Prior to that several protesters were removed from the arena but there were no arrests, the Tribune reported.
The canceled rally follows one in St. Louis earlier Friday where the Chicago newspaper reported there were skirmishes and arrests of 31 people.
