U.S. presidential candidates disagree about who is responsible for violence at recent political rallies.
Republican candidate Donald Trump said he is not responsible for violence at his rallies. But in recent weeks, fighting and conflict has erupted in rallies in Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Illinois. In Chicago, a Trump rally was cancelled.
Trump blamed Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders for the fighting. Sanders said his supporters had disrupted Trump events. But he denied ordering his campaign followers to disrupt Trump events.
“We want peace. … We don’t want trouble,” Trump said at an Illinois rally Sunday. Trump then said he may send his supporters to Sanders rallies.
Sanders responded with a statement on his website, "What caused the protest at Trump's rally is a candidate that has promoted hatred and division against Latinos, Muslims, women and people with disabilities."
Violence has increased at these political events. In Ohio on Saturday, a protester rushed the stage while Trump was speaking. Secret Service agents stopped the man.
In North Carolina, a Trump supporter assaulted a protester as security guards escorted the protester out of the event.
The Trump protester was charged with assault.
Primary elections will happen in Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio on Tuesday.
I’m Dorothy Gundy.
VOANews.com reported on this story. Jim Dresbach adapted the report for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.
We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly attributed a quote to Sen. Bernie Sanders. The story has been updated with the correct statement from Sanders.
________________________________________________________________
Words in This Story
rally – n. a public meeting to support or oppose someone or something
disrupted – v. to interrupt the normal progress or activity of something
escorted – v. going with someone or something to give protection or guidance
assault – n. the crime of trying or threatening to hurt someone physically
primary elections – n. an election in which members of the same political party run against each other for the chance to be in a larger and more important election
