Police and protesters clashed outside of the Phoenix Convention Center after President Trump wrapped up his speech there Tuesday evening.
Video on CNN showed police, wearing riot gear, firing canisters of tear gas or smoke, and flash bangs at protesters as they began to dismantle barricades set up earlier in the day.
CNN reporter Gary Tuchman, reporting on the scene, said he got gas in his eyes, after crying “oh, ah!”
BREAKING VIDEO: Moment police fire gas at protesters pic.twitter.com/7eI1hjuRc1— azcentral (@azcentral) August 23, 2017
Phoenix police said in a tweet that they are dealing with “criminal behavior near 2nd St & Monroe.”
Trump’s rally attracted thousands of protesters, some who support the president, and others who demonstrated against him, bearing signs.
Police are gassing the crowd and running in. People are screaming “This is not a riot!” pic.twitter.com/1vgZVwBmbF
— Hunter Walker (@hunterw) August 23, 2017
Trump has been subject to intense criticism in recent weeks for his responses to the violence in Charlottesville, Va., in which he showed reluctance to condemn white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups by name.
He addressed the issue at the beginning of his rally on Tuesday.
“What happened in Charlottesville strikes at the core of America. And tonight, this entire arena stands united against the thugs who perpetrate hatred and violence,” Trump told the crowd, adding, “I strongly condemn neo-Nazis, white Supremacists and the KKK.”
