During Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday, a Black Lives Matter protester who attempted to interrupt the Republican candidate’s speech was punched and kicked by attendees.
Some of those who witnessed the incident posted footage of the Black protester wearing a shirt that said “Black Lives Matter” and marching toward the stage chanting the same mantra, according to CNN. He is suddenly surrounded by about six people, pushed down to the floor and ultimately attacked. Reportedly, a woman kicked him and at least one man punched him.
Trump is then heard over the speakers saying, “Get him the h— out of here!”
A black protester at Trump’s rally today in Alabama was shoved, tackled, punched & kicked: https://t.co/Aq0wuaAtax pic.twitter.com/cTRDMtjuBl
— Jeremy Diamond (@JDiamond1) November 21, 2015
Hope Hicks, the campaign’s spokeswoman, told CNN “the campaign does not condone this behavior.”
An unnamed member of Trump’s staff told the Montgomery Advertiser that the protester was taunting the outspoken businessman.
“The guy was being disruptive,” the insider said. “He was doing the Black Lives Matter thing and saying other phrases that were really firing up the crowd around him. He was throwing his hands around almost punching.”
The man was not arrested, according to Birmingham police.
Trump, who many think is insensitive about issues affecting minorities and immigrants, has been interrupted at his rallies twice in three days. One man was placed in handcuffs Thursday after shouting “Trump’s a racist,” and another man who yelled out while the candidate discussed cutting food stamps was escorted out of the building.
