Violence Follows California Trump Rally, 17 Arrested

Local Editor

Raucous protesters of Donald Trump took to the streets in California in violent demonstrations leading to 17 arrests as the Republican presidential contender brought his campaign to conservative Orange County.

While Trump held a rally at a fairgrounds amphitheater, dozens waved anti-Trump signs outside in mostly peaceful protests and traded insults with masses of the candidate's supporters who had lined up to see him.

Later in the evening, however, the protests swelled and grew rowdy and spilled into the streets.

One Trump supporter had his face bloodied in a scuffle as he tried to drive out of the arena. One man jumped on a police car, leaving its front and rear windows smashed and the top dented and other protesters sprayed graffiti on a police car and the Pacific Amphitheatre's marquee.

Dozens of cars - including those of Trump supporters trying to leave - were stuck in the street as several hundred demonstrators blocked the road, waved Mexican flags and posed for selfies. Some protesters badgered Trump's fans as they walked to their cars in the parking lot.

Police in riot gear and on horseback pushed the crowd back and away from the venue. There were no major injuries and police did not use any force. The crowd began dispersing about three hours after the speech ended.

Seventeen people were arrested, said Costa Mesa police Sgt. Mike Manson.

Earlier in the evening, a half-dozen anti-Trump protesters taunted those waiting to get into the venue. Trump supporters surrounded one man who waved a Mexican flag and shouted "Build that wall! Build that wall!" - a reference to Trump's call to create a barrier between the United States and Mexico to stop illegal border crossings.

Trump had drawn large crowds across the country as he had campaigned for the White House and some of his events have been marred by protests and scuffles. The Pacific Amphitheatre was filled to its capacity of about 8,000 and a couple thousand more were turned away, said Orange County Sheriff's Lt. Mark Stichter.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team