Police and protesters clash outside California Donald Trump rally

POLICE in full riot gear have confronted protesters at a Donald Trump rally, with tension threatening to erupt into violence once again.

PROTESTERS at a Donald Trump rally in Anaheim, California carried signs saying “Stop Nazi Trump” and “Make America Hate Again”, while police braced themselves for a repeat of the chaos seen at a similar rally yesterday.

Police were taking no chances and outnumbered the demonstrators outside the convention centre where Trump was speaking on Wednesday morning.

Several people were taken away by police as officers dressed in full riot gear kept the protesters away from the convention centre.

A rally in New Mexico yesterday erupted into chaos as some protesters threw burning T-shirts, rocks, bottles and other items at police officers, as well as knocking down barricades.

Many of those at today’s event were unhappy about Trump’s views on Hispanic immigrants and ripped apart a pinata resembling Trump and placed the paper mache head on top of a flag pole with a large Mexican flag.

Some have thrown traffic cones and other items at police.

Police had warned they would take “swift” action if protests at the event in Anaheim escalated. About 100 police officers stood watch behind metal barricades and another 50 sheriff’s deputies lined up along the convention centre.

Trump protests in Anaheim Hawaii. Picture: Greg Lee/ABC7/Twitter

The protesters were outnumbered by police.

There have been many arrests at the rally.

It was not until long after the rally that police were finally called in to disperse the protesters. A police helicopter circled overhead telling people to disperse or risk arrest.

Inside, Trump was disrupted by protesters as he spoke, including one who waved a Mexican flag.

“Do not hurt him,” Trump said as a man was led out of the arena. “I say that for the television cameras. Even though he is a bad person.” Trump’s appearances in the US West in areas with significant Hispanic populations have drawn large protests.

Trump’s remarks that Mexico is sending criminals and rapists to the US, made when he launched his campaign last year, have been a lightning rod for protesters.

Protesters face-off outside a Donald Trump rally at the Anaheim Convention Centre. Picture: AFP

Tense scenes at the rally. Picture: AP

Trump’s problems with Latino voters could dampen his November 8 election hopes.

A poll by the political research group Latino Decisions found 87 per cent of registered Hispanic voters view Trump unfavourably. States like Nevada and New Mexico have growing Hispanic populations that could tip the election.

Trump’s trip west came ahead of the California and New Mexico nominating contests on June 7.

Trump also planned to hold several large fundraising events while in California. It is the first high-dollar fundraising event the New York real estate mogul has held after largely self-funding his primary campaign.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump applauds after singing the National Anthem during the rally at the Anaheim Convention Centre. Picture: AP

People listen to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a rally at Anaheim. Picture: AP

Mike McGetrick, one of two people carrying “Latinos for Trump” signs at the Anaheim rally, said he was part of a group called America First Latinos, whose website describes its members as believing in “the rule of law, hard work and the American Dream”. He said his neighbourhood in nearby Orange is “being overrun” by undocumented immigrants.

“There are so many of them, and they’re everywhere,” said Mr McGetrick, 62, a retired city worker. “I can tell an illegal from a regular person just like that.”

Supporters of the presumptive Republican nominee have been hopeful that his likely opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton, will be dogged by her own problems to offset his difficulty with some populations.

On Wednesday, Clinton faced renewed criticism about her use of a private email server while secretary of state after a report by the State Department’s inspector general said she had violated agency policies.

Trump only briefly addressed the report in his appearance in Anaheim.

“Not good,” he said. “Inspector general’s report, not good.” In a Twitter post on Wednesday, Trump called the protesters in Albuquerque “thugs who were flying the Mexican flag.

“The rally inside was big and beautiful, but outside, criminals!” he said.

More to come.

Originally published as Police and protesters clash outside California Donald Trump rally