# Sanders's Supporters Brownshirts Stop Trump Rally in Chicago

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710>\
**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:** 4

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**Author:** ![CGav8r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@CGav8r](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CGav8r)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/61 "2016-03-12T11:54:31Z")

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> [@Trump](#):
>
> “He was a guy who was swinging, very loud and he started swinging. And you know what? The audience swung back, and it was very appropriate,” Trump said.
> 
> "He was swinging, he was hitting people and the audience hit back. That’s what we need a little bit more of.”

Have to hand it to him-don’t think I’ve ever seen a politician in this country so comfortable expressing his followers need to be violent. And it’s exactly what his followers love to hear; guy is canny as hell.

[http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-primaries/272672-trump-defends-supporters-they-should-swing-back](http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-primaries/272672-trump-defends-supporters-they-should-swing-back)

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**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/62 "2016-03-12T12:22:36Z")

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This whole thing was orchestrated by the Trump campaign. Why do you suppose they stopped vetting entrants like they have done at every other event they have put on? They did everything they could to create conditions for confrontation. Trump lied about consulting Chicago police; that never happened, and CPD said they never advised Trump to cancel. They wanted a riot, and I’ll bet they were disappointed it wasn’t worse. Goebbels would be proud.

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**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/63 "2016-03-12T13:21:56Z")

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> [@octopus](#):
>
> Trump probably pays more than you for taxes. Why shouldn’t he be entitled to use government services that he pays a disproportionate share of? Should he not use the interstate as well?

Why yes, of course. A man of Trump’s worth should be able to drive his Lamborghini at 120 miles per hour across six empty lanes while we, the teat-sucking underclass, push our out-of-gas jalopies along the shoulder.

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**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/64 "2016-03-12T13:30:59Z")

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> [@octopus](#):
>
> Trump probably pays more than you for taxes. Why shouldn’t he be entitled to use government services that he pays a disproportionate share of? Should he not use the interstate as well?

Yeah! One dollar, one vote!

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**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/65 "2016-03-12T13:33:25Z")

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> [@davida03801](#):
>
> Sanders supports acting like Nazi Brown Shirts. Predictable.

Stop acting like protestors somehow “shut down” this rally or forced it to be cancelled. This is just another example of Trump being a thin-skinned baby who sets himself and runs away at the prospect of being booed.

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**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/66 "2016-03-12T13:55:59Z")

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My take.

Trump supporters include mostly half witted morons.  
Sanders supporters include many half witted morons.  
Cruz, Rubio and Clinton supporters point and laugh at Trump and Sanders supporters.

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**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/67 "2016-03-12T14:13:07Z")

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> [@davida03801](#):
>
> Sanders supports acting like Nazi Brown Shirts. Predictable.

I’m quite literally speechless at the amazing amount of tone-deafness you’ve just demonstrated. You know Sanders is Jewish, right?

I’ll bet you that Sanders will disavow those protesters today, and will denounce their actions. Trump, on the other hand, encourages violence and offers to pay legal fees (as has been pointed out for weeks now). Violence at his rallies has been “predictable” for quite a while now.

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**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 12, 2016, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/68 "2016-03-12T14:19:47Z")

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> [@truthSeeker2](#):
>
> Sure, though I am the most tolerant, non-violent person you will ever find.

The most counterproductive way to convince someone you have a virtue is to baldly declare your possession of that virtue.

Trust me: I’m the most insightful guy you’ll ever meet :).

* * *

I’m not at all a fan of the protesters who are shouting profanities or jeering at Trump supporters. That’s some shitty lazy activism, and they’ll probably defend themselves by pointing at me and saying, “TONE POLICE!” or some bullshit.

Trump should absolutely be protested, but the audience for a protest is the general public. You want the public to look at you, and to look at those you’re protesting, and think, “Wow, the protesters really are a decent sort, and look at those shitty fuckers they’re protesting against!” That’s how Gandhi and MLK and other effective nonviolent protesters made it work.

These protesters aren’t doing that. The casual observer will see them, and see the Trump supporters, and see no real difference between them. That’s ineffective protest tactics 101.

An effective protest against Trump might include something like a line of people, each holding a picture of an undocumented child deported from the US, each person ready to tell the story of that child. Something quiet, something visceral, something that confronts emotionally and morally but not physically.

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**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/69 "2016-03-12T14:34:38Z")

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> [@truthSeeker2](#):
>
> Sure, though I am the most tolerant, non-violent person you will ever find.

> [@](#):
>
> Protesters are looking for trouble. If they believe in democracy they would allow the rallies to happen peacefully . maybe protest silently if they have to be present at the venue. That would be the Gandhian way perhaps. I wouldn’t hit the protester personally I think, but if someone is hitting them for their conduct I won’t be terribly upset.

Actually, based on the above I don’t think I’d have much trouble at all finding someone more tolerant and less violent.

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**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/70 "2016-03-12T14:35:49Z")

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So, yeah, playing out about as suspected. Last night it was “riots” and “violence,” This morning it was “pushing and shoving [that] was&nbsp;brief, and some protesters said&nbsp;security concerns were overstated,” with five arrests and one assault of a protester by a Trump supporter. [Trump, Sanders trade blame over Chicago protests](http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/03/12/trump-blames-thugs-canceling-chicago-rally/81685100/)

Five arrests during a protest isn’t a riot. It’s barely a protest, in Chicago. It’s more like a Cubs game.

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**Author:** ![truthSeeker2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/71 "2016-03-12T14:41:21Z")

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> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#):
>
> The most counterproductive way to convince someone you have a virtue is to baldly declare your possession of that virtue.

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.

I am tolerant towards everybody’s views.

Likewise, Trump is not a racist or a fascist but he projected like that by ignorant people and by opposition.

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**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/72 "2016-03-12T14:56:45Z")

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> [@truthSeeker2](#):
>
> Trump is not a racist or a fascist but he projected like that by ignorant people …

Unfortunately, one of those ignorant people is Trump himself.

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**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 12, 2016, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/73 "2016-03-12T15:23:58Z")

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> [@truthSeeker2](#):
>
> I truly am one of the more non-violent and sensitive persons you will find.

I’ve known plenty of vegans in my day, and let’s just say that your continued proclamations about your virtues only reinforce what I said previously. If you want to convince me you’re nonviolent and sensitive–and really, why the fuck do you care what I think about you?–you don’t need to insist on these virtues; instead, you need to stop condoning violence.

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**Author:** ![truthSeeker2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/74 "2016-03-12T15:31:23Z")

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> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#):
>
> I’ve known plenty of vegans in my day, and let’s just say that your continued proclamations about your virtues only reinforce what I said previously. If you want to convince me you’re nonviolent and sensitive–and really, why the fuck do you care what I think about you?–you don’t need to insist on these virtues; instead, you need to stop condoning violence.

We were just exchanging thoughts. I doesn’t bother if you don’t believe I have those virtues brother. I have alot to improve on plus I am a nobody.

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**Author:** ![davida03801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/75 "2016-03-12T15:31:43Z")

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> [@Lightnin](#):
>
> I’m quite literally speechless at the amazing amount of tone-deafness you’ve just demonstrated. You know Sanders is Jewish, right?
> 
> I’ll bet you that Sanders will disavow those protesters today, and will denounce their actions. Trump, on the other hand, encourages violence and offers to pay legal fees (as has been pointed out for weeks now). Violence at his rallies has been “predictable” for quite a while now.

Oh please. Of course I understand that, but honestly did not cross my mind at the moment till you just mention, and frankly has nothing to do with the situation. I see Trump opponents call him Hitler and Nazi all the time in the media. What is good for one is good for the other.

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**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 12, 2016, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/76 "2016-03-12T15:37:39Z")

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> [@davida03801](#):
>
> Oh please. Of course I understand that, but honestly did not cross my mind at the moment till you just mention, and frankly has nothing to do with the situation. I see Trump opponents call him Hitler and Nazi all the time in the media. What is good for one is good for the other.

This is true, as long as we’re not caring about facts any more. If we care about facts, of course, it becomes pernicious bullshit to suggest that any charge laid at the feet of one candidate may with equal probity be laid at the feet of any other.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/77 "2016-03-12T15:44:41Z")

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> [@davida03801](#):
>
> Predictable.

That’s the word that best describes your response.

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**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/78 "2016-03-12T16:07:40Z")

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> [@Fear\_Itself](#):
>
> This whole thing was orchestrated by the Trump campaign. Why do you suppose they stopped vetting entrants like they have done at every other event they have put on? They did everything they could to create conditions for confrontation. Trump lied about consulting Chicago police; that never happened, and CPD said they never advised Trump to cancel. They wanted a riot, and I’ll bet they were disappointed it wasn’t worse. Goebbels would be proud.

This is my take on it. He’s been beat up in the media as the bully. And at his previous appearances they’ve largely taken control of any rogue protesters immediately (often with violence, which furthers the “bully” narrative). But this time, they didn’t do anything about the protesters, and now Trump can start creating the narrative that he’s the victim of those nasty black troublemakers, and radical communistas, and filthy Bernie Sanders supporters. “I just didn’t want to see people get hurt,” the noble statesman said after the cancellation.

Here’s what’s terrifying: it’s this kind of bullshit that will turn many of the Trump pooh-poohers somewhat sympathetic toward him-- “Well, these people shouldn’t be infringing on his right to speak.” and “Well, he paid to use the location, these protesters don’t have any right to be there and cause trouble.” and “Well, look: these protesters are violent and out of control, Trump was smart to protect his supporters.” People who were grasping their pearls a week ago over this boor now find themselves defending him in some capacity against “those radicals.”

Even if some of his supporters were violent and out of line last night too, this just served to further enrage them against the nasty blacks, radical communistas and filthy Bernie supporters that crashed their party. It was like a fascist pep rally. Goebbels would indeed be proud.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/79 "2016-03-12T16:23:22Z")

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> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#):
>
> The most counterproductive way to convince someone you have a virtue is to baldly declare your possession of that virtue.
> 
> Trust me: I’m the most insightful guy you’ll ever meet :).
> 
> * * *
> 
> I’m not at all a fan of the protesters who are shouting profanities or jeering at Trump supporters. That’s some shitty lazy activism, and they’ll probably defend themselves by pointing at me and saying, “TONE POLICE!” or some bullshit.
> 
> Trump should absolutely be protested, but the audience for a protest is the general public. You want the public to look at you, and to look at those you’re protesting, and think, “Wow, the protesters really are a decent sort, and look at those shitty fuckers they’re protesting against!” That’s how Gandhi and MLK and other effective nonviolent protesters made it work.
> 
> These protesters aren’t doing that. The casual observer will see them, and see the Trump supporters, and see no real difference between them. That’s ineffective protest tactics 101.
> 
> An effective protest against Trump might include something like a line of people, each holding a picture of an undocumented child deported from the US, each person ready to tell the story of that child. Something quiet, something visceral, something that confronts emotionally and morally but not physically.

Well said. It really alps to protest form a moral high ground. While I’m sure the protestors felt they had it, they’ve now ceded it.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710/80 "2016-03-12T16:24:57Z")

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> [@SenorBeef](#):
>
> Posted this in the Trump campaign thread before I realized there was a thread for this incident.
> 
> This is probably the best thing that could happen to the Trump campaign. It alleviates problems he was having (violent rallies) by suggesting he’s not the troublemaker. It makes him sympathetic. It makes it look like the boogeyman he’s rallying against might really exist.
> 
> Everyone involved in this protest is a fucking moron. Even though Bernie has nothing to do with this and clearly wouldn’t stand for this, he’ll probably be collateral damage because the narrative will say it’s all Bernie supporters even though it’s probably mostly a mix of BLM retards, communist/anarchist/emo kids who love to protest anything, and groups of opportunistic protesters who don’t actually care but love an opportunity for violence and looting.
> 
> This is exactly the sort of thing that will light a spark in Trump’s campaign, excuse his flaws, and make him sympathetic to a much bigger range of voters. You gave the impression that the nonsense he’s rallying against is actually real, and now people are going to support him to fight you. You fucking idiots.

This is exactly right. Excellent post.

:eek: WTF? I just agree with LHOD and Senor Beef? Maybe Trump really is the Great Unifier!

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