By KayLynn Harris | [email protected]
Iowa City residents welcomed Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump into the Field House on Jan. 26, where the business mogul found himself amid a crowd with shrill, yellow whistles, shirts declaring, “We love Muslims,” and a tomato that was thrown at him haphazardly.
Another protester, UI freshman Austin Westermann, said he believes if Trump is elected, it could send American into a social regression.
“I think that Trump’s ideas are stuck in the past, and if he were to be elected, it would send the American people back to a time that wasn’t supportive or friendly to minorities, women, and the LGBTQ community,” he said.
Inside the rally, more protesters came out of the woodwork.
Kirkwood student Manasik Hassan attended the rally wearing her headscarf. Hassan, who is Muslim, said she attended the rally in silent protest.
“I am here to show him that I am not afraid of him and that he doesn’t intimidate me as a Muslim,” she said. “I feel that my presence here at the rally isn’t welcomed. However, my being here sends a message that people won’t be passive during this time of hate.”
A group of three UI students also attended the rally as silent protesters. The students wore shirts that supported the Democratic Party and presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Before Trump took the stage, his campaign made an announcement asking supporters not to harm protesters, which was greeted with laughter from the crowd. Supporters were instead encouraged to chant, “Trump” if a protest occurred.
Minutes later, the crowd got their first chance when a woman holding a sign reading “Against racism. Against hatred” proceeded to yell profanities at Trump. She was immediately escorted out by security.
Within the first half hour of Trump’s appearance, more than three other individual protests took place. A small group of people began throwing things toward the stage. Upon noticing this, Trump welcomed protesters by saying, “Anybody want to protest, go ahead, it’s fine.”
Later, another group of protesters blew loud whistles during his speech. The crowd members proceeded to chant “Trump,” as they had been instructed, and the Republican front-runner joked about a wrestling match going on in the back.
Another protest broke out as people held up signs reading, “End white supremacy.” The group repeatedly called Trump a “racist fascist.” Like all the other protesters, they were immediately escorted out of the rally by security.
Trump acknowledged the protesters by telling them, “Bye, bye, darlings,” as they were led out of the rally.