“The next time we see him, we might have to kill him.”–Trump supporter, arrested for sucker-punching a protester
By Doug Porter
The rise of The Donald as a presidential candidate is universally described as an expression of anger on the part of American voters. His promises to deport Mexican rapists, discriminate against Muslims and/or teach the Chinese a lesson all play upon fears born of economic and political desperation.
The implied violence of Donald Trump’s rhetoric has inspired his followers to take action. Intimidation of the “other” is an essential part of his campaign, allowing the candidate to avoid protesters upset with his racism, along with questions about his checkered past.
Calling out this violence only makes it more desirable for his shock troops. John McGraw was arrested and charged with assault and battery and disorderly conduct for sucker punching a young black man as he was being escorted out by police from a Trump event in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Wednesday.
On Thursday, McGraw was on national television:
“He deserved it,” McGraw said of the protester, Rakeem Jones. “The next time we see him, we might have to kill him. We don’t know who he is. He might be with a terrorist organization…”
…he showed no remorse for his actions in the interview, saying, “You bet I liked it. Knocking the hell out of that big mouth.”
The suspect justified the attack by saying, “Number one, we don’t know if he’s ISIS. We don’t know who he is, but we know he’s not acting like an American.”
An article published at Slate lists ten incidences of violence along with nine videos involving Donald Trump supporters, protesters, members of the media, and campaign/security staff during campaign events.
From the Huffington Post:
Racial slurs, nasty rhetoric and violence at Trump rallies have become commonplace against protesters, bystanders, and reporters. Assaults are committed not only by rowdy Trump fans, but by the staff he employs to keep the events safe. But rather than denounce these incidents, Trump is making them part of his brand, and uses them to rev up crowds.
“There may be somebody with tomatoes in the audience,” Trump warned people at a rally in Iowa last month. “If you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them, would you? Seriously. Okay? Just knock the hell — I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees.”
Trump has even threatened to personally get in on the action. “I’d like to punch him in the face, I’ll tell ya,” he said of a protester on Feb. 22.
Threats against reporters have become so pervasive at Trump rallies that many of those who cover the Republican front-runner seem to have a personal story. As Katy Tur, the Trump embed for NBC News, described in a Tweet, “Trump trashes press. Crowd jeers. Guy by press ‘pen’ looks at us & screams “you’re a bitch!” Other gentleman gives cameras the double bird.”
Reporters covering Trump rallies are kept in fenced-in pens. the candidate makes a big deal at every nearly every to stop of pointing out the press enclave and heaping scorn upon them. (Yes, I’m aware of platforms for cameras and reserved seating for media at other events. This is different.)
Sometimes, even press considered friendly to the Trump campaign gets caught up in the rage against “political correctness.”
From the Daily Beast:
Michael Vadon/ flickr/ cc
If North Korea had declared war on The People’s Republic of China, it wouldn’t be any more surprising than the sudden eruption of hostilities between Breitbart News and Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.
The public antagonism between the previously Trump-loving media outlet and the reality show billionaire’s campaign staff has been building steadily since late Tuesday, when Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski came up behind Breitbart political reporter Michelle Fields as the candidate and his entourage were leaving their primary night victory party/press conference at the Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Fla.
Fields was walking next to Trump amid a media scrum and asking a question when—by all accounts except Team Trump’s—Lewandowski grabbed her left forearm with enough force to leave bruises, and violently yanked her away from the Republican frontrunner
Despite the existence of an audio (no video found, yet) recording released by Politico of the incident backing up the reporter’s version of the story, the Trump campaign’s response has been personal attacks and denial.
Now that Trump has a seemingly clear path to the GOP nomination, you can expect to hear a more “reasonable” version of his stump speech on the campaign trail. Now the repressive policies and voodoo economics will come all wrapped up with an orange ribbon on top.
His supporters, on the other hand, will feel no such compulsion.
A Grassroots Anti-Trump Campaign
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka may share the first four letters of the Donald’s last name and dislike trade agreements, but that’s about all they have in common. According to an interview in the Washington Post, next week unions are launching a concentrated anti-Trump campaign, designed to educate voters about Trump’s labor background.
“If left unattended, the anger and the frustration [Trump has] tapped into will carry the day,” Trumka warned Monday in an interview with the Washington Post. “But when you give working-class people the facts, I think he falls apart. He’s a house of cards.”
Trumka has an anti-Trump plan, the first parts of which will roll out next week: educate voters about what he says is Trump’s history of anti-worker, anti-union policies. That campaign — on which he would not put a price tag, but unions spent more than $9.3 million in the 2012 presidential race — will eventually evolve into uniting labor voters behind a Democratic candidate.
The campaign will be focused on grassroots contact with union members and potential Democrats to argue that Trump wants to cut workers’ wages and that his immigration and unionization policies would leave them worse off than they are today. Trumka said unions plans to work directly with activist groups, like the growing movement for a $15 minimum wage, that have already had success driving people to rally and vote.
The campaign should yield more than just a turn-around on voter attitudes towards The Donald; the states named in the Post interview all have competitive gubernatorial or Senate races.
Stay Tuned…
Weekly Progressive Calendar: Upcoming in San Diego
Raise the Wage Campaign Kick-Off
Saturday, March 12, 9am
North Park Community Park
4044 Idaho St. (Nr Water Tower)
Info & Updates
Join us as we kick-off the campaign to raise the minimum wage and provide earned sick days to all San Diegans! There will be a brief rally followed by a precinct walk leaving from the North Park Park.
United Union Women:
A Forum for Women’s Empowerment
Saturday, March 12, 11am
SEIU Local 221
4004 Kearny Mesa Rd.
Info & Updates
Come hear from the Local 221’s women’s caucus, panelists and members on how to improve the lives of working women in and out of the union.
FOOD AND CHILDCARE WILL BE PROVIDED
Prizes for the person who comes in the best revolutionary woman costume
SPEAKERS TO INCLUDE
Rabbi Laurie Coskey, executive director of the Interfaith Center for Worker Justice
Sarah Saez, program director of United Taxi Workers of San Diego
Nora E. Vargas, vice president of community and government relations at the Pacific Southwest Planned Parenthood
San Diego Really Really Free Market
Sunday, March 13, 11am-2pm
Teralta Park
Info & Updates
The San Diego Really Really Free Market provides a chance to give and get cool stuff for absolutely free. Simply bring the things around the house you aren’t using anymore, put them in the “free pile,” and look around to see if there is anything you’d like to take yourself. It’s surprising how much great stuff shows up!
You are free to contribute almost anything you can think of- books, clothing, music, plants, baked goods, etc. You can also share any skills or services you might be experienced with (haircuts, bike repair, massages, clothing repair, etc.). Also, if you would like to play music in a public, acoustic setting, this a great opportunity to do so! The Really Really Free Market is a great venue for sharing whatever you can.
Heroines, Pioneers & Trailblazers
Saturday, March 19, Noon-2pm
San Diego Woman’s Club
2557 Third Ave.
Info & Updates (Admission Charge; Fundraiser)
Hosted by Lambda Archives
Guest Speaker
Dr. Joycelyn Elders – U.S. Surgeon General 1993-1994
Honorary Gala Co-Chairs
Katherine Stuart Faulconer, San Diego AIDS Memorial Committee co-chair,
CA Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins and her spouse and community developer, Jennifer LeSar, and
City Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez
Please join us for a gala brunch to celebrate some “ordinary” women (lesbian, trans*, and straight) who stepped up and did extraordinary things in the difficult early days of HIV/AIDS in San Diego and Tijuana. Their stories are some of the most compelling yet under-recognized chapters in our history. In appreciation of all who gave in so many ways, we will honor individuals and one group as our 2016 “Heroines, Pioneers, and Trailblazers.”
It’s Your Time, San Diego
Sunday, March 20, 1-3pm
Grassroots Oasis
3130 Moore St. (Old Town)
Info & Updates
Hosted by Lori Saldaña for Mayor
“It’s Your Time”, San Diego! Join us for an afternoon of San Diego “craft” music, with our own Kimm Rogers performing the song she wrote for our people-powered campaign to elect Lori Saldana as the Mayor for 21st Century that we deserve. Kimm is an expert at wordplay and her lyrics often contain meaningful twists and double entendres that aren’t apparent at first listen. In that way, her songs are a true reflection of her generous spirit as they keep giving you little gifts every time you hear them. She is one-of-a-kind and a real musical treasure.
Joining Kimm will be another San Diego Music Awards nominee, Charlie Imes, whose “laid-back, jazzy beach folk rock” captures our San Diego vibe. And we’re expecting other special guests!
This is is a free event to celebrate our people-powered campaign — It’s OUR Time to elect a Mayor for the 21st Century who works for ALL San Diegans!
Powerful Documentaries at the Malcolm X Library
Saturday, March 19, 4pm
‘The Amazing Nina Simone’
Sunday, March 27, 4pm
‘Free Angela and All Political Prisoners’
Malcolm X Library & Performing Arts Center
5148 Market St., San Diego
Sorry gang, no link available
Get your event listed: I try to list the next 10 days or so of mostly non-commercial events I think our readers might find of interest. I source my material from social media listings and press releases. In cases where there are competing but similar events or campaigns of the progressive persuasion, I do my best to list everything. (Hint, hint Hillary fans.) Unfortunately, my subscription to the psychic hotline has lapsed so if you don’t tell me or Facebook, etc., about your event it won’t get listed. See my email address below.
On This Day: 1811 – Luddites smash 63 “labor saving” textile machines near Nottingham, England. 1907 – President Theodore Roosevelt induced California to revoke its anti-Japanese legislation. 1997 – Paul McCartney was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
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Doug Porter
Latest posts by Doug Porter (see all)
- Last Call. Last Column. - December 14, 2018
- Which Presidential Candidate Will You Support in 2020? - December 13, 2018
- Mounting the Assault on Big Gay and Other Drivel From SDSU’s Minimum Wage Scrooge - December 12, 2018
I am deeply concerned about the violence Trump awakens in people. I don’t think McGraw assaulted someone due to any sort of economic reasons…
As the November elections near, I am frightened that the violence will continue to escalate. As community activists, my question is how we effectively respond. It’s very very hard to fight angry, emotional people who seek bodily harm on others.
The violence — espoused by the candidate and committed by minions — are only the latest similarity between Trump and Hitler. If you don’t see it yet, you will. Germany did it in 1933 and, yes! it CAN happen again. But, not unless we let it happen.
So, talk to everyone you know about the Evil Donald. When enough people are actively trashing him, protesting at his appearances, the electorate will too. Then he can go back to cable, where he belongs.
And when you see another article in the paper with TWO photos featuring Trump, call them on it. Yes, you have to report the latest debate, but you don’t have to promote the entertainment value so blatantly.
I disagree that “Trump has a seemingly clear path to the GOP nomination.” Now that the cat is fully out of the bag, a full spectrum of Republicans are getting on the Dump Trump truck along with those of us who are still sane. And tonight, in Chicago, so many protesters showed up that The Donald cancelled the rally. Attaboy, Chicago! No more appeasement for Donald Tritler!
He’s serious, folks. And we must get just as serious about the danger he represents — and IS.
Chicago rally cancellation reminds me of that old hockey joke: “I went to see a fight the other night, and a #TrumpRally broke out.”
Not only that: Cruz is talking right now and sounding reasonable… what a strange, strange election we are in…
Bernie & Trump are the direct result of the electorate finally realizing the people they have been “electing” – do NOT represent their interests – not even close – & finally – seeing some alternatives.
when the 98% realizes that pandering to the 2% has been at the silent majority’s expense – you think they might be mad?
too many elected democrats have joined republicans in usurping the rights & interests of the many. people not yet ready for socialism – are leaving the party in droves.
when the rights of the overwhelming majority are continually disregarded – for the benefit of the few – what usually happens?
Agree, TJ! We’ve had an awakening and there’s no going back! The interests of the people have been usurped by the establishment in both parties and corporate greed for too long! The people are going to , hopefully, take back their responsibilities as citizens and voters of this great Country!
I don’t think people should be letting themselves get sucked into a “them” and “us” mindset. The unrest on both the left and right is stemming from lack of accountability in DC down BOTH sides of the isle.
Obama has done some great things. Yet,countless acts to retaliate agaisnt whistleblowers of gov’t fraud, cronyism and ineptitude under his administration are not among them. (think Manning, Snowden, Kirakou, Drake — just to name a few) I think much of what Trump says could well qualify as dangerous hate speech. I also think the fact that Clinton is running for President while publicly laughing at the thought she would ever be investigated by the FBI, is a good example of why that hate speech is resonating so well with so many.
Don’t blame the people on the left or the right. They are being polarized by design. Blame the bought and paid for in DC/cronyism to CYA in BOTH parties for their collective roll of fueling the fires.
I strongly disagree, Snaron. In fact, I have been very impressed with how civil and interesting the discourse has been among the Democrats. Bernie & Hilary are regularly complimenting each other and they are sticking to the issues. They cite facts and they even admit to shortcomings. They have proven to be extraordinary individuals in their behavior.
We can’t say the same for Donald Trump’s shocking behaviors. The fact that he has any credibility at all–when other politicians before him have ruined their careers for much milder transgressions–is disturbing at the very least. To not notice that white supremacists are coming out of the woodwork to cause mayhem is even more disturbing.