While presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump spoke to conservatives inside the Colorado Convention Center, dozens of protesters gathered outside chanting “F--k Trump,” sparring verbally with many Trump supporters during Friday's event..
Among the heated topics? Race and gender.
“If I identify as a female, I go to the female restroom,” said one Trump opponent.
“I don’t want that,” said a Trump supporter. “I don’t want a boy in my daughter’s restroom.”
Immigration was also a hot topic.
“If they’re illegal, go back,” said a Trump supporter.
“Our (white) ancestors came here illegally,” responded an opponent. “Hardworking my a--, they brought slaves with them to do our work.”
At one point, fisticuffs broke out when a Trump supporter grabbed a megaphone that one protester raised to yell in his face.
As the Trump supporter pushed it away, other protesters grabbed him. One of them threw a punch and he fought back.
That’s when police moved in to break up the melee.
“They arrested the guy who started the fight,” said Ty Link, one of the witnesses to the scuffle. “They arrested the other guy who threw the punch.”
Link said he was knocked down when the shoving began.
When asked if he was okay, Link replied, “My knee is a little messed up, but I’m okay.”
While Trump supporter yelled, “build the wall, build the wall,” one opponent countered that “Jesus was not a racist, you’re voting for one.”
Both sides tried to provoke the other.
The big question is: Did any of the street debates make a difference?
“I hope it’s working,” said one protester. “I think he’s pulling through a little bit.”
The man she was sparring with said, “I don’t know, I don’t know. Maybe there’s a little faith in humanity that we can have a civil conversation.”
Police said three people were arrested during the protests; two for fighting and one for interfering with police.
Friday's protests included everyone from veteran protesters from the Occupy Movement, some of them wearing bandanas across their faces, to a small group of students from Colorado Christian University. An institute from CCU organizes the event.
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