ARIZONA ELECTION

Protesters block road to Donald Trump rally in Fountain Hills

Mar 19, 2016, 10:27 AM | Updated: Mar 21, 2016, 8:38 am

Protesters blocked two lanes on Shea Boulevard leading to Donald Trump’s rally in Fountain Hills, Ariz., Saturday afternoon. Photos and videos posted to Twitter showed a group of protesters parking their cars in the middle of the road with anti-Trump banners. Police began towing the cars blocking the road. NBC correspondent Jacob Rascon, who was on the scene, asked one leader of the protest about why they had decided to block the road. “We don’t Donald Trump in Arizona, we don’t want his hatred,” the man said on a video posted to Twitter. Asked if he was willing to be arrested, the man said, “That’s a risk we’re willing to take. If Donald Trump continues and becomes president more of our families will be hurt.”

A few protesters tied themselves to their cars to prevent police from towing them.

For hours, the protesters — about two dozen in total — parked their cars in the middle of the road, unfurling banners reading “Dump Trump” and “Must Stop Trump,” and chanting “Trump is hate.” Traffic was backed up for miles, with drivers honking in fury. The road was eventually cleared and protesters marched down the highway to the rally site, weaving between Trump supporters as the event got under way. Thousands gathered for the outdoor rally. Officers with the sheriff’s department were posted throughout the park, on rooftops and on patrol. Officers wearing bulletproof vests stood alongside a Humvee with a gun turret on top. Trump supporters waved signs saying “Hillary for Prison” — referring to Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton — and “Joe for VP,” a reference to Arpaio. Earlier Saturday, about 50 protesters gathered outside the Phoenix Convention Center where Fox News host Sean Hannity was set to interview Trump. They held signs, played music and made speeches, calling Trump “despicable” and “a fascist.” One of them, Salvador Reza , said: “He’s working to create division.” The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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Protesters block road to Donald Trump rally in Fountain Hills