A rally for presidential hopeful Donald Trump was canceled in Chicago Friday evening amid security concerns. The Chicago Tribune reports people started gathering before dawn. By late afternoon, tens of thousands were gathered. Trump supporters and protestors had a standoff both inside and outside of the UIC Pavillion. As pre-rally violence escalated it was clear things needed to be stopped. Trump met with law enforcement prior to his scheduled speech and decided to postpone the rally.
Anti-Trump Protestors: We Stopped Trump!
The cancellation announcement was made by an official at 6:30 pm. CNN reports, when the event was called off the crowd erupted, with many people shouting, “We want Trump!” while others chanted, “We stopped Trump!”
Several fights broke out, and the situation turned into “total chaos.” Trump told MSNBC that he thought it best to call off the rally, as opposed to letting people “mix it up.”
Trump Made The Right Call, Finally
Finally, a hint at common sense from Trump. ABC News reports that five people were arrested, but things could have been much worse.
The anti-Trump protesters came out strong. It is estimated that two-thirds of the crowd were Trump protesters. For them and for millions of others not in attendance who carry the same sentiment–tonight’s postponement is a victory. It shows that if “the people” show up the narrative can change. My hope is that the same urgency gets people to the polls by any many means necessary.
Evidence Shows The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
The real deal is that Trump’s rallies have been heading towards something bad happening for the last couple of months. There is no way that promoting hate is going to turn out well. Gil Scott-Heron sang about the revolution not being televised. When we hit that level as a society the streets will be where change happens.
