Donald Trump rally: Black student ‘thrown out after crowd confuse him for a protester'
Video footage captured by the 20-year-old captures his incredulity at being ejected after apparently being mistaken for a protestor
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A black student has been thrown out of a Donald Trump rally without saying a word, it has been reported.
East Carolina University student Adedayo Adeniyi attended a political rally held by the Republican presidential hopeful on Wednesday night. The 20-year-old says that he went not to protest or demonstrate but because he was curious to see for himself what a Trump rally would be like.
Video footage captured by Mr Adeniyi appears to show police and Trump supporters approach him and demand that he leave.
This was instigated because black members of the crowd nearby were protesting and Mr Adeniyi was wrongly implicated by the crowd on the basis of his skin colour, he has told New York Daily News. The footage appears to capture the student’s shocked response: “Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. That’s not me, that’s them. I don’t even know them. What? I don’t even know them.”
He told New York Daily News: “I was there just to watch and experience the surreal moment of someone like Trump running for president and speaking to thousands of people.
“At first I refused to leave because it was all just a product of being black at a Trump rally. Basically in that environment I’m guilty by association. But common sense told me to just listen to the cops and move along.”
He added: “These are presidential rallies. I’m not at a KKK rally. The fact that I experienced hate at a candidate rally tells you everything you need to know about Donald Trump and the people that support him. People will act more hateful and racist in environments that they feel not only encouraged to do it, but accept it as normal.”
In the same stadium a further, separate incident occurred when another black man was allegedly seriously assaulted by a Trump supporter. A 78-year-old man has been charged with assault, battery and disorderly conduct.
In addition, police are investigating two alleged assaults at a recent Kentucky rally. One relates to an alleged incident in which a black woman was reportedly shoved and called “scum” by members of the crowd.
Mr Trump has been criticised for not condemning violence at his rallies and for appearing to make light of such allegations. The politician said of a protestor last month: “I’d like to punch him in the face.” At a Kentucky rally addressed the crowd: “Get him [a protestor] out. Try not to hurt him. If you do I’ll defend you in court… Are Trump rallies the most fun? We’re having a good time.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments