The two groups exchanged heated words and chants as pro-Trump demonstrations take place across the country
Supporters of Mr. Trump, many clad in red, white and blue, sported signs such as “Christians for Trump” and “This is My Women’s March.” The group began loudly chanting “U-S-A, U-S-A” when a band of anti-Trump protesters arrived around noon Saturday.
The anti-Trump group shouted, “No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA,” and waved such signs as, “Not Fit to Serve — No Mandate.”
“Let’s support our President and stop the hate!” organizers wrote in the Facebook group for the event, CBS affiliate WBNS-TV reports . “Please join us in this effort to unite the citizens of this great country. Bring your signs and flags to support our President and his administration!”
The extraordinary clash of several hundred people in one of America’s most closely-divided battleground states featured chanting and name-calling as well as opposing activists leaning in to try to hear each other out on the unconventional president.
WBNS-TV streamed live from the scene in Columbus:
March 4 Trump rally at Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus | Details: http://wbns.tv/2mR3LIK
Other rallies are happening across the country on Saturday.
In Minnesota, six counterprotesters were arrested in St. Paul during a rally in support of Mr. Trump.
St. Paul police say five of the arrested face felony riot charges after they allegedly lit fireworks inside the Minnesota State Capitol then ran away. The Minnesota State Patrol arrested a sixth counterprotester for disorderly conduct. About 400 people attended the St. Paul event, and about 50 people showed up to protest against it.
In Iowa, a group of dozens gathered at the steps of the Iowa State Capitol on Saturday to show support for Mr. Trump.
Supporters wearing red, white and blue and chanting the president’s name held Trump campaign signs, as well as homemade signs reading, among other things, “God Bless Trump” and “Trump Works for Me!” Supporters were also told to prepare for Trump re-election efforts to begin in Iowa within months.
Unlike in other cities, counterprotesters did not disrupt the Des Moines rally.
