Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio appeared unsurprised late Friday when thousands of protesters descended on a Donald Trump rally in Chicago.
This has been a “very disturbing night on a lot of levels,” Rubio told Fox News’ Megyn Kelly.
Embedded Bernie Sanders supporters were among the thousands of protesters who gathered outside the University of Illinois’ Chicago Pavilion arena and the hundreds who infiltrated the rally. Sanders’ supporters chanted for the Democratic socialist while scuffles broke out among the crowd moments before Trump was set to take the stage. The widespread skirmishes prompted Trump to cancel his appearance due to security concerns.
Rubio commented that the protestors, though they have freedom of speech, went too far. “You don’t have a right to take a way peoples’ first amendment rights.” Rubio said he believed that many there were “professional protestors” and being paid to disrupt the rally.
“This is Chicago. Protesters are an industry,” the Florida senator said, adding “It is clear just from watching these images that this was an organized effort.”
Rubio also felt Donald Trump shares responsibility for “the general tone” of his campaign, mentioning previous statements from the billionaire businessman. In recent weeks, Trump has reminisced about the “good old days” when security would rough up protestors, said he wished he could personally punch a heckler in face, and has offered to pay the legal bills of attendees willing to physically remove troublemakers from the scene.
Rubio said he “most certainly” disagrees with many of the things Trump has said through out his campaign, describing Trump’s often controversial remarks as “rough language.”
Rubio also said that President Obama helped bring about the situation through his use of divisive rhetoric on college campuses.
“No one is blameless here,” said Rubio. “[The situation] is sad all the way around. I’m very sad for our country.”
