According to court documents, Kennon Hooper, 31, Lisa Cuyler, 27 and Maxwell Yearick, 29 were among more than an estimated 1,000 people outside the convention center protesting Republican front-runner Donald Trump’s visit to Pittsburgh. Shortly after 7:45 p.m. as police formed a line separating the protesters from Trump supporters waiting to enter the convention center, Hooper pepper sprayed a police officer and kicked him in the knees and hand, police spokeswoman Emily Schaffer said.
While police were attempting to arrest Hooper, Cuyler jumped on the back of one of the officers and was arrested according to court documents. At this point, Yearick grabbed an officer’s protective vest and began fighting with him. As officers attempted to handcuff him Yearick continued to resist arrest, but was eventually handcuffed.
Police say Yearick was wearing a mask when he attacked police.
An unknown number of protesters, some wearing masks, attempted to strike officers “with sticks broken off from home-made signs,” court documents say.
The pepper spray hit both Trump supporters as well as protesters. Police did not use any pepper spray during the event.
Four police officers were injured during the arrests and were treated by paramedics,
“All the Donald Trump supporters are here peacefully. The Trump supporters need to be protected, and I think we have a right to come and support our candidate. I feel harassed by the protesters and I was even pushed and shoved by one,” said Bernadette Gariglio of Cherry Valley Pennsylvania.
Charlie Wagner, 23 of Pittsburgh said she just came to watch the event said “Today I just came to witness the event and was personally attacked by both parties. I see people attacking each other instead of focusing on the issues.” She added that a Trump supporter called her a “purple-haired [expleitive] and no one would hire me.” Wagner said she is training to be an Optometrist.
The scene, while tense, was not as physical outside Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall on the University of Pittsburgh campus where Trump taped a segment of Fox News with Sean Hannity at 5:30 p.m.
Outside, protesters were still forcibly voicing their opposition to Trump.
Shortly before 5:30 p.m. a group of several hundred shouting “Your hate speech is violence, we will not be silenced” and “No KKK, No fascist USA,” rushed towards the entrance to the hall but were stopped by a line of police officers. Several protesters were seen approaching Trump supporters yelling obscenities.
While some Trump protesters were concerned with the protesters activities, one protester Shondra Harris, 19, of Pittsburgh made it clear she wanted Trump supporters to feel uncomfortable saying, “I’m not going to let him or his supporters come here comfortably.”
“Trump supporters opinions are totally irrelevant,” added Tosha Bailey, 22 of Pittsburgh.
Yet, while most Trump supporters who were interviewed were able to provide clear reasons why they support his presidential bid, the majority of protesters were not able to clearly say why they don’t want him as president.
Tatiana DePante, 22, of Pittsburgh said she believed that Trump was “racist” because “He wants to deport the innocent people from Mexico and other countries who come here with children looking for work.” When asked if she was referring to the undocumented workers who enter the United States contrary to immigration laws she said “Yes, they are only here to work.” DePante was unable to give any other example why she believes Trump is a “racist.”
Trump supporters left the convention center through a side entrance due to the large number of protesters who were standing outside both front entrances.
No other injuries or arrests were reported. Cuyler was released this afternoon after posting a $5,000 bond, while Hooper and Yearick remain in the Allegheny County Jail unable to post a $10,000 bond.
