Jump directly to the content
HARD-HITTING POLITICS

Scuffles break out between pro-Trump and anti-Trump protestors during Make America Great Again march

Activists were seen grappling and throwing punches at each other in clashes at the event in Huntingdon Beach, California

DRAMATIC pictures show violence at a pro-Donald Trump rally as supporters of the president clashed with protesters in ugly scenes.

Multiple fights broke out at the event in southern California and according to local media, at least one Trump supporter was doused with pepper spray.

A pro-Trump rally participant is punched in the face by an anti-Trump protester
12
A pro-Trump rally participant is punched in the face by an anti-Trump protesterCredit: Reuters
A Trump supporter screams in the face of a protester at a rally on Saturday
12
A Trump supporter screams in the face of a protester at a rally on SaturdayCredit: Getty Images
A Trump fan punches an anti-Trump activist in Huntingdon Beach, California
12
A Trump fan punches an anti-Trump activist in Huntingdon Beach, CaliforniaCredit: AP:Associated Press

The violence broke out when pro-Trump demonstrators marching along Bolsa Chica State Beach encountered a small group opposed to the Republican president who had gathered to protest.

The fights appeared to start in the early afternoon when a dozen anti-Trump protesters dressed in all black refused to move from a bike path to allow Trump supporters on the Make America Great Again rally to pass.

The confrontation escalated into a fight with more skirmishes quickly breaking out.

The Los Angeles Times identified the woman who was sprayed as an organiser of the rally, which drew hundreds of Trump supporters to the Huntington Beach area.

Known as Surf City, USA, Huntington Beach is located some 40 miles south of Los Angeles.

Video footage from social media uploaded to the newspaper's website showed a chaotic scene with men fighting in the sand.

A Trump supporter grabs at the clothing of a black-clad protester yesterday
12
A Trump supporter grabs at the clothing of a black-clad protester yesterdayCredit: Getty Images
March organiser Jennifer Sterling was reportedly pepper sprayed
12
March organiser Jennifer Sterling was reportedly pepper sprayedCredit: AP:Associated Press
A man in a Make America Great Again hat gets punched by a protester
12
A man in a Make America Great Again hat gets punched by a protesterCredit: Getty Images

A group of around 20 Trump supporters, some carrying Trump flags, were also seen chasing a man in a black mask away from the beach and onto a motorway.

The man was stopped by members of the California Highway Patrol, the newspaper said.

The masked man had used the pepper spray and was set upon by a group of Trump supporters, the newspaper reported.

An anti-Trump protester gets taken down by a police dog after a scuffle
12
An anti-Trump protester gets taken down by a police dog after a scuffleCredit: EPA
Cops detain anti-Trump demonstrators at the Make America Great Again march
12
Cops detain anti-Trump demonstrators at the Make America Great Again marchCredit: Reuters
Clashes broke out when protesters blocked the route of the march
12
Clashes broke out when protesters blocked the route of the marchCredit: EPA

Members of the California State Parks police appeared to arrest two of the black-clad individuals, but the exact number of arrests was unclear.

No one was seriously hurt in the altercation, according to a dispatcher for the Huntington Beach Fire Department.

Demonstrations denouncing the Trump administration have drawn hundreds of thousands since he took office in January.

A protester lands a punch on a Trump supporter during the march
12
A protester lands a punch on a Trump supporter during the marchCredit: AP:Associated Press
An anti-Trump protester is chased at flag-point by a Trump supporter
12
An anti-Trump protester is chased at flag-point by a Trump supporterCredit: EPA
It is not clear how many arrests were made at the event
12
It is not clear how many arrests were made at the eventCredit: Reuters

Smaller rallies have been staged across the country in support of Trump.

Trump praised his supporters for backing him on Saturday.

He tweeted: "Thanks you for all of the Trump Rallies today. Amazing support. We will all MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"



We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368


 

Topics