Trump's Chicago rally postponed as supporters, detractors scuffle

Donald Trump's Chicago campaign rally was postponed Friday evening as protesters shut down the event. MSNBC reporter Ali Vitali said "full sections" of the rally were occupied by people who showed up to protest Trump and his supporters.

One announcer at the rally said the candidate respects free speech, but added some protesters were “taking advantage” and encouraged supporters to chant “Trump!” at his detractors. The Trump campaign also issued a statement saying the candidate had met with law enforcement officials and "determined that for the safety of the tens of thousands of people that have gathered in and around the arena, tonight's rally will be postponed to another date."

After the postponement announcement, protesters broke into cheers of "We did it, we did it!" according to MSNBC’s Vitali. Following that, smaller scuffles broke out inside the arena, with some Trump supporters and detractors pushing and shoving, engaging in verbal altercations, and swinging at each other.

Someone at Trump rally is screaming on the livestream: “I hope you’re proud! You media people have created this with your race baiting!"

— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) March 12, 2016

Chicago Police eventually started clearing the arena, which was essentially a cauldron of emotion just waiting to boil over.

"Attention attention, the event is now over. Please exit the building," announcer says as police escort people out. #trumprally

— Tina Sfondeles (@TinaSfon) March 12, 2016

The incident follows on the heels of a week in which a Trump supporter was charged with assaulting a protester at a Trump rally in North Carolina and Trump's campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, allegedly assaulted a reporter. Earlier Friday, Trump also called protesters “troublemakers” at a rally in St. Louis, where several people were arrested.