Protesters removed from Donald Trump rally in Louisville
A Louisville rally for Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump drew a large, enthusiastic crowd that lined up around the Kentucky International Convention Center hours ahead of time to cheer for the businessman-turned-candidate.
During the rally, Trump unleashed his bravado on the crowd, promising that “we are going to take our country back and make it great again.”
He was interrupted several times by protesters, several of whom were led from the convention center by security.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who dropped out of the race for the GOP nomination, appeared at the event to introduce Trump.
The rally came just days before Kentucky Republicans hold their first-ever presidential caucus. On Monday, GOP candidate Ben Carson held a town hall event in Lexington. And Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is set to hold a campaign event in Lexington on Friday.
Scenes from the Trump rally:
An anti #Trump protestor, getting shoved out of Tuesday's rally in #Louisville. pic.twitter.com/Azw8fWOfVw
— Christina Mora (@ChristinaWLKY) March 2, 2016
I spoke with the woman in the video, who is seen shoved out of a #Trump rally. She says she's okay, processing what happened.
— Christina Mora (@ChristinaWLKY) March 2, 2016
Here's the size of the crowd from the back half of the room pic.twitter.com/jtN23CIfeu
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
Trump says US "is being laughed at by everyone in the world." Says US spends more on education than anyone but "at the bottom of the list"
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
Another group gets kicked out. Trump screams to "get them out" pic.twitter.com/iBCibQFHT0
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
"Donald Trump loves clean coal" gets a mixed reaction. Mostly cheers
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
Trump has to deal with more protesters GET OUT OF HERE. OUT. OUT. OUT. ^JB
— Bluegrass Politics (@BGPolitics) March 1, 2016
Trump calls press "most dishonest human beings in the world." ^JB
— Bluegrass Politics (@BGPolitics) March 1, 2016
Protesters in back of room. Trump says GET THEM OUT OF HERE. ^JB
— Bluegrass Politics (@BGPolitics) March 1, 2016
Woman yells "loser" to group getting kicked out at the Trump rally. @heraldleader @BGPolitics pic.twitter.com/iNqJeBFdOJ
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
LMPD officers are headed into the crowd pic.twitter.com/gM3MHzWQcp
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
Gov. Christie is stumping for Trump from Louisville. @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/Jhmf6F1Hki
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
Man being lead out was wearing a #BlackLivesMatter sticker on his jacket pic.twitter.com/Xyu0Opr7Re
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
Two men were just kicked out of the Trump rally. They were arguing with man in grey plaid shirt. @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/0GhcL8JR7r
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
A sea of people at Trump's 4 pm rally pic.twitter.com/i9PRhHMyGp
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
The line to get into Trump's 4pm Louisville rally is wrapped around the convention center, cold weather be damned. pic.twitter.com/T5UxcgQRff
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
Woman yells "loser" as Sanders group gets escorted out of Louisville Trump rally. pic.twitter.com/KjJBoA7BiA
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
Trump supporters are finding ways to kill time before the doors open. @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/MksQosHIEa
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
David Froggett Jr. of Metcalfe Co. KY wrote a country song called "The Trump Card because "he's the real deal" pic.twitter.com/ATJY1G0YNd
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
Rick Raub, a Vietnam vet takes a photo of a group of UK students who came to support Trump. pic.twitter.com/Ds9FCubBHt
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
Room is starting to fill with two hours to spare before the Trump rally in Louisville. @heraldleader @BGPolitics pic.twitter.com/n5drRG5LPb
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
Three EKU students are here to "silently protest" @heraldleader @BGPolitics pic.twitter.com/zWi05bZDsi
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
Tasha Oldham, 44, of Louisville said she likes Trump because he speaks his mind. @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/VGF8EKcwQd
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
Sallie Sallie of Wolfe Co. KY came with her eight-year-old son (seen in the background) @heraldleader @BGPolitics pic.twitter.com/rTNkbgO4pw
— Michael McKay (@MichaelMcKay716) March 1, 2016
The wait begins as Trump supporters sit and wait for the 4:00 start. @heraldleader @BGPolitics pic.twitter.com/taSIblUo7u
— Mark Cornelison (@markcornelison) March 1, 2016
Young and old waiting for Donald Trump in Louisville. @heraldleader @BGPolitics pic.twitter.com/ravU9o0vjD
— Mark Cornelison (@markcornelison) March 1, 2016
Keeping everyone happy with ice cream and concessions waiting for Trump. @heraldleader @BGPolitics pic.twitter.com/vb8iyMFVvx
— Mark Cornelison (@markcornelison) March 1, 2016
Check back at Kentucky for more coverage throughout the afternoon and evenings.
This story was originally published March 1, 2016 at 2:11 PM with the headline "Protesters removed from Donald Trump rally in Louisville."