Critics believe professional protesters used at Donald Trump rally in San Jose

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ByChris Nguyen KGO logo
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Critics believe professional protesters used at SJ Trump rally
There are now allegations that professional protesters were used in the Donald Trump rally in San Jose where violent fights broke out.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Last week, violent fights broke out after a Donald Trump rally at the San Jose Convention Center. On Tuesday, police identified four suspects from the South Bay during the rally.

RELATED: SJ police identify 4 arrested at violent Donald Trump rally

There are now allegations that professional protesters were used in those fights. While professional protesters aren't anything new on the national stage, locally it's a different story. And Trump supporters aren't amused.

Earlier Tuesday, the district attorney's office filed charges against one of them, who is accused of throwing a metal barricade at a police officer.

"He was released on the supervised own recognizance program, which means he'll be surprised by the pre-trial services department, but without bail being set," said Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Chris Boscia.

RELATED: San Jose police chief defends handling of protest at Trump rally

Mayor Sam Liccardo says there's no room for violence in this city.

"Donald Trump rallies have been marred by violence in many, many cities," he said. "And these are great challenges that major city departments have to grabble with."

One high profile Trump supporter claims so-called "professional protesters" may have also had something to do with the violence.

RELATED: San Jose police criticized for not stopping attacks outside Trump rally

Former political advisor Roger Stone believes that some people are getting paid to cause a ruckus at political rallies.

In a Skype interview he said, "In fact, one of those in San Jose was a protester seen only days ago outside Trump Tower in New York. That's a highly mobile protester."

A woman pictured standing next to a burning Trump hat has been photographed at multiple protests.

This undated image shows people standing around a Donald Trump hat that was set on fire.
KGO-TV

Stone says others have also been responding to Craigslist ads in multiple cities across the country, asking for people to protest against Trump.

"It makes national news," said Stone. "And their message of 'Trump is bigot Trump is a racist' resonates in a way that would discredit his candidacy with left of center voters."

The San Jose Police Department is following up on leads and says more arrests are possible.

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