Washington: Protesters lit fires, smashed a door and threw rocks outside a Donald Trump rally on Tuesday night in the state of New Mexico — the latest scuffle to follow the presumptive Republican nominee’s campaign.
The scene outside Albuquerque’s convention centre was chaotic as police ushered protesters away from Trump’s event and into the nearby streets, CNN reported.
The protesters had broken a glass door to the convention centre. Some taunted police and jumped on police vehicles as officers in riot gear and on police horses moved them away from the convention centre’s exits.
Trump had already left the event.
The scene was reminiscent of the violence between Trump supporters and protesters in Chicago in March.
This time, though, police kept protesters and Trump supporters apart, and did not arrest or clash with the protesters.
Despite initial word of gunshots, Albuquerque’s police department said on Twitter that there was “no confirmation” of gunshots.
“There is no confirmation that any gunshots were fired, contrary to reports. Possible damage to Convention Centre Windows by pellet gun,” the department tweeted.
Inside Trump’s event, protesters disrupted him sporadically. At least three were forcefully removed by police after they refused to leave.
A group of a dozen protesters in the grandstands around the stage where Trump spoke unfurled banners that read ‘Undocumented Unafraid’ and ‘We’ve heard enough’. Another banner accused Trump of being a fascist.