# Sanders's Supporters Brownshirts Stop Trump Rally in Chicago **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 12, 2016, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710 "2016-03-12T02:28:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/201 "2016-03-12T22:50:25Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Reread. I did not claim a number. I claimed that one number would be about 100 times the other. So if you want me to provide what I’m obligated to, you have to show me the number of incidents of violence committed by the KKK since the inception of the BLM movement. You claimed a relationship between the two numbers. If you have no data, then that’s fine – I don’t either (off-hand). But if you want anyone to accept your claim as anything more than a guess, then it’d probably be good to offer some data. > [@](#): > > It depends what you mean by worse. If you mean morally depraved and intellectually bankrupt, then we’re probably in agreement that the KKK is worse. MUCH worse. But that’s not what was being discussed. The violence caused by each group in recent times (since the inception of the BLM movement) was the issue. So, my point stands. It stands if you have data, perhaps. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/202 "2016-03-12T22:54:02Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > I would have liked to see Drumpf get arrested for urging the crowd to rough up that one guy and promising to pay the legal bills. That has to be a crime. … I’m curious about the legality of that, too (the promise to pay the legal bills of anyone who commits violence on Trump’s behalf). Certainly there’s quite a little list, now, of videos of Trump speaking fondly of violent responses to those who oppose him. And his fans do seem to love it–it gets delighted laughter and cheers, as here: > **[Donald Trump on protester: ‘I’d like to punch him in the face’ | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2016/02/23/politics/donald-trump-nevada-rally-punch/)** > > Donald Trump unleashed tough rhetoric against his rivals as well as a protester at a Monday night rally, the eve before the Nevada caucuses. > [@](#): > > Donald Trump unleashed tough rhetoric against his rivals as well as a protester at a Monday night rally, the eve before the Nevada caucuses. > “I’d like to punch him in the face,” Trump said, remarking that a man disrupting his rally was escorted out with a smile on his face. “He’s smiling, having a good time.” … While Trump has at times urged his supporters not to hurt protesters, he has also repeatedly suggested that supporters should be handled more roughly. > When a Black Lives Matter protester was punched and kicked by attendees at a Trump rally last fall, Trump remarked the next day that “maybe he should have been roughed up.” > [@SenorBeef](#): > > Protesting him is the dumbest thing we can do. No one is informed by the fact that there are people who strongly object to him - no shit, that much is obvious from who he is. What it does is make it sound like the “they’re trying to silence me! I must have a dangerous message!” bullshit is true, and makes that boogeyman he’s railing against sound more real. It makes him look like the victim and not the inciter. > Or, think about this: Trump wants this, right? Trump loved what happened last night. It’s not exactly an advanced strategy to realize that doing exactly what your opponent wants you to do is a bad idea. I absolutely agree. Trump and his people have been waiting for this to happen; you can tell by the canned talking points his surrogates are using today. It certainly appears as though the talking points were all planned out well in advance. Trump ‘has a right to have his say’ and the big mean Leftist Thugs are out to keep him from exercising his 1st Amendment rights. What awful people Leftists are! Etc. They must really have been desperate to have an excuse to turn all the Nazi imagery and references back against the Democrats–not very convincingly to any but die-hard Trump fans, of course, but…still. But, yeah. It was a bad idea to give Trump this big giant present, all gift-wrapped. So bad an idea that I can’t help wondering to what extent this might have been a false-flag operation… > [@Smapti](#): > > I have no means of discerning their political leanings. They could be “radical leftists”. They could be non-radical leftists. They could be stealth Trump agents provocateur. They could be some guys who happened to be wandering by and decided to troll the camera. If hard evidence were found to indicate that Trump’s people orchestrated this, would any Trump fans begin to have doubts about him? Or would such a revelation only increase their devotion to him? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/203 "2016-03-12T23:05:34Z")
Don’t want to make too much of this, I know some of us here are a bit suspicious of that whole cause and effect thingy… Just sayin’, if the timeline offered above is correct, then it is more likely that the, ah, …“postponement”… _provoked_ the violence more than the other way around. I can see it, makes sense. All those people who came to see Trump pissed off because they aren’t going to, and some protester types gloating about it, yeah, some shit is likely. But if Il Douche doesn’t want a bumber crop of whirlwind, don’t plant the crop! That’s Scripture! (Post not shortened at all, just using the dots to set off the word itself, kind of a stylistic gesture) ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/204 "2016-03-12T23:06:15Z")
I’ve compared it in my mind to abortion clinic protestors. If you think you’re right enough, that overrides concern for “optics”. The two situations also have my skepticism about how much such “optics” will end up really mattering, especially when both are already so divisive. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/205 "2016-03-12T23:13:38Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > I truly am one of the more non-violent and sensitive persons you will find. > > I stopped eating non-veg and stopped using leather products thinking of animal cruelty since I was a 10 yrs old kid. Uh-huh. Know who _else_ was vegetarian? Hint: he didn’t _personally_ kill all those Jews, Gypsies, Gays, Communists, and others in the camps… ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/206 "2016-03-12T23:57:59Z")
Here is a compilation of Trump inciting violence. Text and video: > **[Don't believe Donald Trump has incited violence at rallies? Watch this video.](https://www.vox.com/2016/3/12/11211846/donald-trump-violence-rallies)** > > Trump has a very clear history here. Here is an article on Trump’s ideology of violence. On this topic Trump actually presents a coherent position: [Donald Trump's ideology of violence - Vox](http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/3/12/11211898/donald-trumps-ideology-of-violence) Personally, I think the idea that the US is too gentle with its dissidents is silly on the one hand, butthurt on the other, and frankly unAmerican as well. It’s not a surprise that Trump has kind words for Russia’s head strongman Putin, and no I don’t think this is a cheap shot. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/207 "2016-03-13T00:01:07Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **Sherrerd** : > > If hard evidence were found to indicate that Trump’s people orchestrated this, would any Trump fans begin to have doubts about him? Or would such a revelation only increase their devotion to him? What’s “this”? The cancellation? We already know who orchestrated that: That was Trump’s own decision. What other event was there that would have been orchestrated? ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/208 "2016-03-13T00:10:37Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > (post shortened) > > Several reporters had said the Chicago police had known for several days that the usual protest groups were planning to disrupt the Trump rally. They also mentioned that Chicago police had informed Trump of the protester situation after Trump had disembarked his plane. It was then Trump’s decision not to hold the rally that would probably have led to even more Democrat protester violence. The Chicago PD specifically denied they had even been in contact with Trump or his campaign, and that they warned him to cancel the rally. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/209 "2016-03-13T00:10:40Z")
Hmm. > **[Trump Surrounded by Secret Service as Man Tries Rushing Stage](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trump-calls-protests-chicago-rally-planned-attack/story?id=37601079)** > > Rally in Chicago was canceled the day before. > [@](#): > > Sanders defended his supporters while speaking in Chicago on Saturday. > > “What our supporters are responding to is a candidate who has in fact in many ways encouraged violence," he said. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/210 "2016-03-13T00:17:38Z")
I disapprove. ---
**Author:** ![Hank\_Beecher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hank_beecher/32/7275_2.png) [@Hank\_Beecher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Beecher)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/211 "2016-03-13T00:32:59Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Certainly there’s quite a little list, now, of videos of Trump speaking fondly of violent responses to those who oppose him. Wait a minute. This talking point is repeated constantly, but then all the examples I see are like [the one that you posted](http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/23/politics/donald-trump-nevada-rally-punch/). Your statement “Trump speaking fondly of violent responses to those who oppose him.” implies that the people in question were\* merely\* opposing him. To me, that brings to mind someone protesting outside his event, or someone writing an article, or making a video, or tweeting responses to him, and him speaking fondly of violence being used in response. Sounds pretty bad. But then I go and watch your link and it turns out was talking about someone he claimed was punching the security guys while being removed. So you said Trump was “speaking fondly of violent responses to those who oppose him”, which is the kind of thing a bully, or a thug, or a fascist, or, apparently, a BernieBro\* would do. When actually what Trump said was that when he sees the guys charged with protecting him getting hit it makes him want to punch the guy doing the hitting in the face, which is the kind of thing a six-pack-of-Tall-Boys-loudmouth, or a good friend, or a dude known for not taking any shit, would say. There is a big difference. > [@](#): > > I absolutely agree. Trump and his people have been waiting for this to happen; you can tell by the canned talking points his surrogates are using today. It certainly appears as though the talking points were all planned out well in advance. Trump ‘has a right to have his say’ and the big mean Leftist Thugs are out to keep him from exercising his 1st Amendment rights. What awful people Leftists are! Etc. I think it is very possible that they have anticipated something like this. The activist types who pull this type of crap are reliably predictable, if they are anything at all. > [@](#): > > They must really have been desperate to have an excuse to turn all the Nazi imagery and references back against the Democrats–not very convincingly to any but die-hard Trump fans, of course, but…still. I think everyone one in this election but Trump, especially the other GOP candidates, are the desperate ones. And from what I can tell this event is garnering Trump a lot of sympathy and support. He seems to be in charge of the election, do far. > [@](#): > > But, yeah. It was a bad idea to give Trump this big giant present, all gift-wrapped. So bad an idea that I can’t help wondering to what extent this might have been a false-flag operation… It was a bad idea, for sure. It might have not even been an idea at all, but more of an uncontrollable reflex caused by an overall idea vacuum. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/212 "2016-03-13T00:44:54Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Or, think about this: Trump wants this, right? Trump loved what happened last night. It’s not exactly an advanced strategy to realize that doing exactly what your opponent wants you to do is a bad idea. I don’t entirely disagree\* but…Trump will spin ANYTHING to his favor. Protests? That’s totally what he wants us to do, because now he’s the victim of violent people violating his First Amendment rights. No protests? That’s exactly what he wants us to do - nobody is speaking out against him, so look how much Chicago loves him! Which means he’s global thermonuclear war. The only winning move is not to play. \*I “protested” by first petitioning UIC to cancel the rally and then getting two free tickets and not going, and inviting everyone I know to do the same. At which point someone pointed out that the Trump campaign would simply fill the empty seats with Trump supporters standing around outside. And I laughed and laughed, because the idea that there’d be several thousand Trump supporters without tickets standing outside in Chicago was patently ridiculous. But I did not, and never intended to, go down there and vocally protest. Because I like my ass unkicked. ---
**Author:** ![Hank\_Beecher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hank_beecher/32/7275_2.png) [@Hank\_Beecher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Beecher)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/213 "2016-03-13T00:46:09Z")
> [@Hank\_Beecher](#): > > So you said Trump was “speaking fondly of violent responses to those who oppose him”, which is the kind of thing a bully, or a thug, or a fascist, or, apparently, a BernieBro\* would do. Forgot to add: \*Not fair at all I know, but I couldn’t help it. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/214 "2016-03-13T00:55:22Z")
Trump says “Protesters are bad people”. Currently live on CNN. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/215 "2016-03-13T01:08:05Z")
Well, it does look like most of the media are pointing at the protesters as not behaving properly; however, as many have spoken about how this will be seen by the public, it is important then to note how it is being reported, most are also pointing that Trump has ““some accountability” for “creating this hostile atmosphere” that leads to violence, noting in particular the violent rhetoric he employs in his speeches.” > **[Media Highlight Trump's Role In Inspiring Violence At His Events](https://www.mediamatters.org/donald-trump/media-highlight-trumps-role-inspiring-violence-his-events)** > > After a series of violent incidents at Republican front-runner Donald Trump's public events, media are saying Trump has "some accountability" for "creating this hostile atmosphere" that leads to violence, noting in particular the violent... > [@](#): > > NY Times: “A Black Protester … Was Sucker-Punched And Shoved By A Trump Supporter” At A Trump Campaign Rally. The New York Times reported on March 10 that videos on social media showed a “black protester” being “sucker-punched and shoved by a Trump supporter” at a Trump rally in North Carolina. The Times pointed out that the assault “was not the first violent incident at a Trump rally”: > [@](#): > > ABC’s Matthew Dowd: Trump Has “Some Accountability” For “Creating A Culture” Of Violence At Rallies. On the March 11 edition of ABC’s Good Morning America, political analyst Matthew Dowd pointed out that Trump and his campaign have been “creating a culture or an environment” where violence at rallies can occur and that “there is some accountability that he and his campaign have” for the violence that takes place at his events: > [@](#): > > Chuck Todd: Trump’s Language Is “Creating This Hostile Atmosphere” At His Rallies. On the March 11 edition of NBC’s Today, NBC political director and host of Meet the Press Chuck Todd said Trump’s language, including moments where he spoke about “punching people in the face,” contributes to “creating this hostile environment” where violence occurs: > [@](#): > > Vox: “The Problem With Violence At Trump Rallies Starts With Trump Himself.” In a March 11 article, Vox’s Dara Lind wrote that “Trump is not just condoning violence. He is encouraging it.” Lind explained, “the fact remains that [Trump] has consistently encouraged rallygoers to beat up protesters” and justified their actions citing their “‘passion’ for his campaign and America”: More of how Trump encourages violence over here: > **[Trump on His Supporters Attacking Protesters: ‘That’s What We Need More Of’](https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2016/03/trump-punching-protesters-is-very-appropriate.html)** > > Donald Trump pivots to the general election, defends mob violence. > [@](#): > > There has not been a single documented case of protesters initiating violence against Trump supporters, according to Time. And at the Las Vegas rally that Trump cites, multiple security personnel told Politico that the protester threw no punches and that Trump was “over-exaggerating.” > > At the GOP debate in Miami Thursday night, CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Trump if he believed that he had “done anything to create a tone” that encouraged violence at his rallies. > > “I hope not. I truly hope not,” the GOP front-runner said, before creating a tone that encouraged violence at his rallies. “We have some protesters who are bad dudes, they have done bad things. They are swinging, they are really dangerous … And if they’ve got to be taken out, to be honest, I mean, we have to run something.” > > Trump’s praise of “swinging back” stands in stark contrast with the newfound civility with which he’s treated his rivals in recent days. The Donald’s performance in the last GOP debate was widely interpreted as a self-conscious pivot toward a general-election audience. The former reality star chose not to address the other candidates by disparaging nicknames, and delivered his message of nationalistic grievance in a calm, steady voice. The mogul even resisted the temptation to obliquely reference the size of his penis. > > But, apparently, Trump thinks full-throated praise of mob violence is not out of step with a pivot to the center. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/216 "2016-03-13T01:15:34Z")
And yet Cruz and Rubio don’t have the same problem. Obama, Romney and McCain had big rallies where nothing like this happened. I think we can dispel the notion that Trump doesn’t know what he’s doing when he riles up his supporters. Trump knows exactly what he’s doing. Trump from my earlier Vox citation: [INDENT] “I love the old days. You know what they used to do to guys like that when they were in a place like this? They’d be carried out on a stretcher, folks. It’s true. … I’d like to punch him in the face, I’ll tell you.”[/INDENT] Cite2: [INDENT]Four days before that, in Las Vegas, Trump was more direct about the kind of response he really wanted to see. After claiming, falsely, that a protester was ejected for “throwing punches,” Trump lamented: “We’re not allowed to punch back anymore. I love the old days — you know what they used to do to guys like that when they were in a place like this? They’d be carried out on a stretcher, folks.” [Trump Concerned His Rallies Are Not Violent Enough - The Intercept](https://theintercept.com/2016/03/11/trumps-good-old-days-when-battering-protesters-was-celebrated-in-the-white-house/) [/INDENT] Lots of action against entirely peaceful protestors: > **[The Violent Undertones of a Trump Rally](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/03/donald-trump-fayetteville/473169/)** > > An undercurrent of violence courses through Trump’s events ​​​​​​​​and speeches. In North Carolina, it erupted into the open. > [@WhyNot](#): > > I don’t entirely disagree\* but…Trump will spin ANYTHING to his favor. Protests? That’s totally what he wants us to do, because now he’s the victim of violent people violating his First Amendment rights. No protests? … Most (all?) politicians spin. Trump goes way beyond that. He makes things up. He makes false statements after being corrected, suggesting knowing intention. That goes beyond most political discourse. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/217 "2016-03-13T01:23:22Z")
Does anyone besides **LHOD** want to go on the record as disapproving of what Bernie said about this? ---
**Author:** ![Hank\_Beecher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hank_beecher/32/7275_2.png) [@Hank\_Beecher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Beecher)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/218 "2016-03-13T01:46:23Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Does anyone besides **LHOD** want to go on the record as disapproving of what Bernie said about this? It’s deplorable. Add it to the list. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/219 "2016-03-13T01:54:16Z")
Here’s a better article about what went down, including the involvement of Sanders’ supporters: > **[How Bernie Sanders supporters shut down a Donald Trump rally in Chicago](https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/how-bernie-sanders-supporters-shut-down-donald-trump-rally-chicago-msna813781)** > > The story behind the protest that shut down Donald Trump in Chicago and led to chaos. Thing is, Chicago has two things going on right now: 1. Regular protests of Rahm Emmanuel over the death of Laquan McDonald and 2. Lots of contacts and organization in for Bernie in Chicago. Plus, as luck would have it, Trump happened to pick a venue where student organizations are already working on points 1. and 2. So when the student organizers heard about Trump impending rally, it was easy and obvious for them to arrange a protest. And because they already had the organization in place, it got big. People protest at all the candidates appearances. It was a perfect storm where this candidate’s appearance was scheduled in the middle of an ongoing protest structure. Here’s a better article about Sanders’ response to this: > **[Sanders Unloads On 'Pathological Liar' Trump](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bernie-sanders-unloads-on-donald-trump_n_56e4847ae4b0860f99d9475f)** > > The Vermont senator denied that he had organized a massive protest at the canceled Chicago rally. > [@](#): > > Sanders issued a stinging rebuke on Saturday to the Republican presidential front-runner for noting that some of the protesters that disrupted Trump’s rally “represented Bernie, our communist friend." > > The Democratic presidential candidate interpreted the remark as insinuating that he or his campaign had been directly involved in the protest. > > “As is the case virtually every day, Donald Trump is showing the American people that he is a pathological liar,” Sanders said. > > “Obviously, while I appreciate that we had supporters at Trump’s rally in Chicago, our campaign did not organize the protests.” Bernie’s position is that, while some of his supporters were involved, this was not an organized campaign protest. He was not involved, his campaign was not behind this, and it would be a lie to say that they did this as his representatives. All of that is factually true. Sanders went on to blame the violence and inflamed tension on Donald Trump’s violent and inflammatory rhetoric. > [@](#): > > “What caused the protests at Trump’s rally is a candidate that has promoted hatred and division against Latinos, Muslims, women, and people with disabilities, and his birther attacks against the legitimacy of President [Barack] Obama,” Sanders said. > > He also blamed Trump for acts of violence against protesters. > > “What caused the violence at Trump’s rally is a campaign whose words and actions have encouraged it on the part of his supporters,” Sanders added. That is also factually true that Trump, personally, and his campaign in general. has encouraged violence. So, no, I’m not seeing any part of Bernie Sanders’ factual response as being something of which I need to disapprove. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/220 "2016-03-13T01:56:56Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Does anyone besides **LHOD** want to go on the record as disapproving of what Bernie said about this? On the surface I do disapprove, but most of the reports I have seen and the pictures point to real violence that was directed at the protesters. It is under that background that then what Sanders said was: [http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/272791-sanders-my-supporters-are-not-to-blame-for-violence-at-trump-rally](http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/272791-sanders-my-supporters-are-not-to-blame-for-violence-at-trump-rally) > [@](#): > > “I don’t think our supporters are inciting. What our supporters are doing is responding to a candidate who has, in fact, in many ways, encouraged violence,” Sanders said at a press conference, according to CNN. “When he talks about … ‘I wish we were in the old days when you could punch somebody in the head.’ What do you think that says to his supporters?” > > “So the issue now is Donald Trump has got to be loud and clear and tell his supporters that violence at rallies is not what America is about and to end it,” Sanders said. Well, I have to say that Sanders should had also pointed at the protesters to remind them to not resort to violence, but seeing the reports it makes me wonder if Sanders was advised to not fall into what for them is a dubious equivalence. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710.md?page=12)