Republican presidential candidate John Kasich lashed out at Donald Trump for running a campaign that has sowed “seeds of division” among Americans and resulted in violent protests at a Chicago rally Friday night.
“Tonight the seeds of division that Donald Trump has been sowing this whole campaign finally bore fruit, and it was ugly,” Kasich said in a statement. “Some let their opposition to his views slip beyond protest into violence, but we can never let that happen.”
Thousands of protesters gathered outside the University of Illinois’ Chicago Pavilion arena Friday while hundreds others infiltrated the rally.
Embedded Bernie Sanders supporters started chanting for the Democratic socialist while scuffles broke out among the crowd moments before Trump was set to take the stage. The widespread incidents prompted the campaign to cancel Trump’s appearance at what it claims was the recommendation of law enforcement. (The Chicago Police Department denies this.)
The Ohio governor also called on Americans to resist the temptation to assault individuals who hold different beliefs.
“Now is the time for Americans to come together and stand firm for what we know is true: we are great because we are a peaceful people who live by the rule of law,” Kasich said.
The governor called on voters to reject a candidate at the ballot box who would seek to divide them by speaking his mind.
Kasich is ranked fourth in the Washington Examiner’s latest presidential power rankings.
