Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel commended the city’s police department Friday night for its commitment to protecting citizens during protests at a Chicago rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
“I want to thank the men and women of the Chicago Police Department for their hard work tonight in unexpected circumstances, and their continued commitment to protecting people’s first amendment rights,” Emanuel said in a statement.
The embattled mayor has himself faced protests in the Windy City since October, when the city released video of an officer-involved shooting of a black man.
Residents have called for the mayor’s resignation, but he refused to step down in the wake of a Justice Department investigation into the city’s handling of multiple police shootings.
Emanuel also criticized the GOP front-runner for inciting “hateful” feelings among Americans this election season.
“For all of us who cherish the ideals upon which our country was founded, the hateful, divisive rhetoric that pits Americans against each other demeans our democratic values and diminishes our democratic process,” said Emanuel, previously the chief of staff to President Obama during his first term.
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 skirmishes prompted the campaign to cancel Trump’s appearance at what it claims was the recommendation of law enforcement. The Chicago Police Department and the Chicago mayor deny this.
