What started as a calm protest outside Donald Trump’s rally Tuesday in Albuquerque (NM) erupted into fiery violence as protesters jumped on police cars, smashed windows and fought with Trump supporters and police.
Police faced such an angry crowd that they called in reinforcements from around the state, seeking to double their numbers to counter the protesters, whose numbers swelled beyond 600. Police said on social media that at least one person was arrested in “the riot” and that multiple officers were injured after being hit by rocks.
The ABQ Journal reports that as the Trump rally let out, protesters hurled burning T-shirts and bottles at Albuquerque police officers on horseback standing guard at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
Police responded by launching smoke into the crowd, sending people running through the streets coughing and screaming.
Men punched and shoved each other periodically as the night continued, though it wasn’t always clear what, if anything specific, started the fight.
By 11 p.m., police in riot gear continued to patrol the streets around the center, Civic Plaza and the final route of the protesters through Downtown.
By 11:30, about 120 Albuquerque and State Police officers and sheriff’s deputies gathered in Civic Plaza to rest their feet, take off their riot gear and sit down to share stories over bottled water.