Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump rallied at the I-X Center in Cleveland on Saturday afternoon.
Trump kicked off the rally by mentioning protesters who rallied against him in Chicago Friday, to which Trump ultimately decided to cancel his event that was scheduled for that night.
"We were not allowed to exercise our First Amendment rights," he claimed, which caused an enthusiastic audience of a few thousand people to cheer. "We had 25,000 [supporters], and they (protesters) stopped that."
During Saturday's rally in Cleveland, Trump focused on the state of the U.S. economy, continuously stating he would "bring our jobs back."
"Right now, we're being ripped off by everybody, we're like the whipping post of everybody," he said. "I'm going to bring our jobs back, and I'm going to make our country wealthy again.
"We're going to stop being a stupid country," Trump continued.
Trump also brought up John Kasich, claiming the Ohio governor is "weak" on immigration.
"Your governor has abandoned the state," Trump said. "...Kasich is weak on immigration and can't be president, and I hope you're going to remember that when you go to the polls."
On Saturday morning, Trump also rallied at Wright Bros Aero, in Vandalia, Ohio near Dayton, where a man reportedly ran to the podium during the event.
At multiple moments throughout the rally in Cleveland, Trump ordered security to escort protesters out, while accusing them of being fans of Bernie Sanders, to which the audience laughed.
Around 30 to 40 people opposing Trump protested outside the I-X Center prior to the event.
Protester's sign: "Trump is Hitler's son." Protests are planned for 11 am. pic.twitter.com/BxIF7702uD
— Meg Shaw (@MegDShaw) March 12, 2016
About 30-40 protesters greeting people coming into IX Center lot for #DonaldTrump rally #Cleveland pic.twitter.com/T2t3xW7Zlq
— Nick Foley (@nfoley1418) March 12, 2016
Protesters now chanting outside rally at @ixcenter in Cleveland pic.twitter.com/jPPbLrdsZm
— Meg Shaw (@MegDShaw) March 12, 2016
Protesters outside @realDonaldTrump rally in #Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/CZLzxOVgAp
— Meg Shaw (@MegDShaw) March 12, 2016
Supporters made it to the I-X Center early Saturday morning to wait in line for the event before doors opened at 11 a.m., with some protesting for Trump alongside those opposing the candidate.
Trump supporters coming over to protesters at @ixcenter #DonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/827CX5TYt5
— Nick Foley (@nfoley1418) March 12, 2016
Cleveland Police told newsnet5.com's Meg Shaw that authorities had a security plan in place for the rallies, but would not detail specifics on staffing or deployment for tactical reasons. Heightened security could be spotted both outside and inside the event.
Just got word from @CLEpolice about today's Trump rally. Saying they won't discuss staffing or tactical plan for today.
— Meg Shaw (@MegDShaw) March 12, 2016
Trump took to Twitter before the Ohio rallies.
MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2016
On my way to Dayton, Ohio. Will be there soon!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2016
For more information on Saturday's events, visit TrumpDayton.eventbrite.com or TrumpCleveland.eventbrite.com.
