Cancels Chicago rally amid clashes after weeks of violence-laced rhetoric

At the University of Illinois at Chicago on March 11, 2016, Trump abruptly canceled a planned campaign rally after thousands of protesters and supporters packed the arena and clashes broke out, with multiple arrests and injuries reported. Instead of taking responsibility for weeks of telling crowds to "knock the crap out of" protesters and promising to pay legal bills, Trump framed the cancellation as a matter of "safety" and blamed organized protesters, feeding a sense of persecution while continuing to wink at aggression from the stage in subsequent events.

“Mr Trump just arrived in Chicago and after meeting with law enforcement has determined that for the safety of all of the tens of thousands of people that have gathered in and around the arena, tonight’s rally will be postponed to another date.” — Statement issued after the March 11, 2016 rally at the University of Illinois at Chicago was canceled amid large protests and clashes between Trump supporters and demonstrators Quote verified against source