Donald Trump has blamed organised “thugs” for the protests that led him to cancel his campaign rally in Chicago, adding the incident has “energised America.”
The Republican presidential frontrunner cancelled the event on Friday due to safety concerns after violent clashes between supporters and protestors broke out at the event at the University of Illinois (UIC).
Mr Trump held the protestors liable for the postponement of the rally, writing on Twitter: "The organized group of people, many of them thugs, who shut down our First Amendment rights in Chicago, have totally energized America!"
The business tycoon further lambasted the Chicago protestors while speaking at a rally outside Dayton, Ohio on Saturday, calling what took place "a disgrace."
He said that while his supporters are "nice" and "great" people, the protestors were "professionally-staged wise guys" determined to cause problems, adding he was worried his backers might have been hurt in the violence.
“We made a decision,” said Mr Trump in Ohio, “and I hated to do this, because frankly it wouldn't have been easier to do. But I didn't want to see anybody get hurt."
“You would have had a problem like they haven't seen in a long time, because we have people that are so amazing.”
The Chicago Police Department said five people were arrested at the rally after rival groups hurled abuse at each other and sporadic fighting erupted as Trump supporters attempted to wrestle flags from protesters. One protester was physically removed from the stage by security.
According to Time magazine some protesters were Black Lives Matter activists and others wore “Muslims United Against Trump” T-shirts.
Protestors, however, argued it is Mr Trump inciting hatred, not them. Matthew Ross, a Chicago activist, told US Today the suggestion protesters presented a security risk the rally was unfounded.
"Have you seen what his supporters have incited at their rallies?" said Ross. "I think what [Mr Trump] is doing is inciting violence".
A number of Trump rallies have been interrupted by protestors leading to confrontations.
Earlier on Friday protesters repeatedly interrupted Mr Trump's speech at a rally in Missouri and more than 30 people were arrested.
Mr Trump's attitude towards his supporters' conduct at rallies has also been criticised.
Two days after a Trump supporter was charged with assault for punching a protester at a campaign rally in North Carolina, the billionaire insinuated that actions of violence were "appropriate".
Speaking at a press conference, moments after he unveiled the endorsement of Dr Ben Carson, Mr Trump said: “The guy was very loud and he started swinging at the audience. And you know what? The audience swung back and I thought it was very, very appropriate.”
Ohio governor John Kasich has blamed Mr Trump for creating a "toxic environment" in the presidential race. During a visit to Cincinnati he said there is "no place for a national leader to prey on the fears of people".
Mr Trump's Republican rival, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, said: "When you have a campaign that affirmatively encourages violence, you create an environment that only encourages this sort of nasty discourse".
Additional reporting by various agencies
