Police Make Arrests Following Trump Rally in Anaheim

Last month, anti-Trump demonstrators took to the streets outside a similar event in nearby Costa Mesa

Seven adults and one juvenile have been arrested in the wake of Donald Trump's Wednesday rally in Anaheim after police declared an unlawful assembly of protesters outside the event.

The announcement to disperse or face arrest from a police helicopter came after shouting matches erupted between dozens of Trump opponents and a few Trump supporters outside the Anaheim Convention Center, where the candidate was speaking.

The protests began as a small but vocal group of people demonstrating amid a heavy police presence to guard against a repeat of raucous demonstrations at other Trump events.

The unlawful assembly was declared when a crowded gathered in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant after Trump's speech.

At one point a man with a megaphone screamed against immigrants who are in the country illegally and anti-Trump demonstrators threw plastic bottles. Police on horseback and on foot moved in close.

At one point a man with a megaphone screamed against immigrants who are in the country illegally and anti-Trump demonstrators threw plastic bottles. Police on horseback and on foot moved in close.

One group pummeled a Trump piñata, decapitating it. Some demonstrators with faces covered by bandannas shouted expletives against the Republican presidential candidate, while others stood quietly with signs reading "migration is beautiful" and "we are not rapists."

Authorities were not informed of any plans for large-scale protests but boosted staffing for Trump's noon rally at the 7,500-seat arena as a precaution, said Anaheim police Sgt. Daron Wyatt.

"We're hoping that people mind their p's and q's but if they don't, we're prepared to take swift and decisive enforcement action," said Wyatt.

Demonstrators can protest peacefully so long as they don't block traffic or engage in violence, he said.

Last month, anti-Trump demonstrators took to the streets outside a similar event in nearby Costa Mesa, damaging police cars and throwing bottles. At least 17 people were arrested.

Two days earlier, supporters and opponents of Trump clashed outside Anaheim's city hall as elected officials discussed a proposed anti-Trump resolution. Police said five people were pepper-sprayed by a demonstrator during that confrontation.

The Republican presidential nominee has drawn thousands of ardent supporters to his events but also passionate critics of his plans to build a wall on the Mexican border and his comments about immigrants and Muslims.

His appearances have generated protests in other states as well, most recently Tuesday night in Albuquerque, N.M.m, when demonstrators outside a rally clashed with police. Officials said several officers were hurt by rocks and at least one person was arrested.

On Tuesday, Democratic party leaders urged any protesters to act peacefully and condemned Trump's proposals on immigration.

"He is a racist, he is a bigot," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told reporters in a phone conference. "He can't just turn into a normal candidate."

A message was sent to a Trump campaign spokesperson seeking comment.

Democratic presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders were also making stops in Orange County this week as California gears up for its June 7 primary.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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