CHICAGO -- The Donald Trump campaign on Friday night canceled a rally slated to take place in an arena at the University of Illinois at Chicago after protesters overwhelmed the event. The campaign cited safety concerns, given the tense confrontations between Trump protesters and supporters.
After the cancellation was announced, fights started to break out at the UIC Pavilion, CBS News' Sopan Deb reports.
Ahead of Trump's arrival, hundreds of demonstrators lined up outside the arena to protest the Republican presidential front-runner. Large groups of Trump opponents also occupied multiple sections inside the arena. The mix of Trump supporters and opponents created a tense atmosphere, and finally a spokesperson for the campaign announced the event was canceled.
Guglielmi said the university's police department also did not recommend that Trump call off the event. The decision was made "independently" by the campaign, according to Guglielmi."Mr. Trump just arrived in Chicago, and after meeting law enforcement, has determined that for the safety of all the tens of thousands of people that have gathered in and around the arena tonight's rally will be postponed until another date," the man said from a podium. "Thank you very much for your attendance, and please go in peace."
However, a Chicago police spokesperson told CBS News there were no meetings between police and the Trump campaign about security.
CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told the Associated Press that police never told the Trump campaign there was a security threat at the venue. He said the department had sufficient manpower on the scene to handle any situation.
CBS Chicago station WBBM reported a Chicago police officer was seen bleeding from the head, but it wasn't immediately clear what had happened. He was reportedly taken to Stoger Hospital in good condition.
Other police officers could be seen clashing with demonstrators.
Guglielmi said the university's police department also did not recommend that Trump call off the event. The decision was made "independently" by the campaign, according to Guglielmi."Mr. Trump just arrived in Chicago, and after meeting law enforcement, has determined that for the safety of all the tens of thousands of people that have gathered in and around the arena tonight's rally will be postponed until another date," the man said from a podium. "Thank you very much for your attendance, and please go in peace."
