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Protesters Arrested Outside Trump Rally In Anaheim

ANAHEIM (CBSLA.com/AP) -- A small but vocal group of people protested outside a Donald Trump campaign rally Wednesday in Anaheim amid a heavy police presence to guard against a repeat of raucous demonstrations at other Trump events.

One group pummeled a Trump pinata, decapitating it, outside the Anaheim Convention Center where Trump was speaking.

Some demonstrators with faces covered by bandannas shouted expletives against the Republican presidential candidate, while others stood quietly with signs reading "migration is beautiful" and "we are not rapists."

At least two protesters had been arrested as of early afternoon, according to social media reports.

Inside the Convention Center, Trump, 69, pulled no punches during his afternoon speech, which was peppered with attacks on Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, using his oft-repeated term, "Crooked Hillary."

"She doesn't have the temperament to be president," he said. "She's got bad judgment. She's got horribly bad judgment, and that was stated by none other than crazy Bernie (Sanders). Bernie said that Hillary Clinton has bad judgment."

In response to a group of supporters with signs that said "Latinos for Trump," he said, "I love that" and added, "By the way, you're all here legally."

Authorities were not informed of any plans for large-scale protests but boosted staffing for Trump's noon rally at the 7,500-seat arena as a precaution, said Anaheim police Sgt. Daron Wyatt.

Lizbeth Barrera of Anaheim is only 17 and can't vote this election. But the high school junior said she came out to protest against Trump because of his comments about Mexicans, among other reasons.

"We don't need a racist coming here and trying to convince people to vote for him," she said, while holding a sign calling Trump a misogynist and bully.

Wearing a red "Make America Great Again" cap, Andrew Willingham, 24, made his way toward the center to hear Trump speak. The car salesman from Huntington Beach said he long disdained voting, and at first was wary of Trump, but was drawn in by his support for free markets.

"He's anti a lot of regulation, pro wall, which mean less minimum wages," he said. "I watched more and more of his stuff, and yeah, I fell in love."

Last month, anti-Trump demonstrators took to the streets outside a similar event in nearby Costa Mesa, damaging police cars and throwing bottles. At least 17 people were arrested.

Two days earlier, supporters and opponents of Trump clashed outside Anaheim's city hall as elected officials discussed a proposed anti-Trump resolution. Police said five people were pepper-sprayed by a demonstrator during that confrontation.

The Republican presidential nominee has drawn thousands of ardent supporters to his events but also passionate critics of his plans to build a wall on the Mexican border and his comments about immigrants and Muslims.

His appearances have generated protests in other states as well, most recently Tuesday night in Albuquerque, N.M., when demonstrators outside a rally clashed with police. Officials said several officers were hurt by rocks and at least one person was arrested.

On Tuesday, Democratic party leaders urged any protesters to act peacefully and condemned Trump's proposals on immigration.

"He is a racist, he is a bigot," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told reporters in a phone conference. "He can't just turn into a normal candidate."

A message was sent to a Trump campaign spokesperson seeking comment.

Democratic presidential hopefuls Clinton and Bernie Sanders were also making stops in Orange County this week as California gears up for its June 7 primary.

Fallout from the State Department email scandal continues to dog Clinton after a department audit found the former Secretary and her team ignored clear guidance from officials that her email setup broke federal standards and could leave sensitive material vulnerable to hackers.

Trump even made reference to Clinton and suggested he could end up facing another Democratic opponent in November.

"She had a little bad news today from some reports [that] came down that weren't so good," Trump said during Wednesday's rally. "Inspector General's report — not good."

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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