Violence at a Donald Trump rally? What's new? The only difference this time is that the violence was directed towards Trump himself, as opposed to one of his innocent spectators or peaceful protesters. With security guards and members of the Secret Service stationed at every corner of Trump's stage in Dayton, Ohio, it is surprising that anyone made it even close to reach the Republican front-runner, yet halfway through his speech, one protester almost made it. Thomas DiMassimo, 22, of Fairborn, OH, was arrested and charged for disorderly conduct and inducing panic after he rushed the stage Trump was speaking on during a rally on March 12. DiMassimo tells CNN in an interview that he never intended to hurt the presidential candidate - only to send a message to those watching at home. "Trump is a bully," he tells CNN. DiMassimo, like many other Americans who "don't consider themselves racists" and who don't approve of the kind of violence Trump condones at his rallies, simply wanted Trump to stop talking. The goal for rushing the stage was to reach the podium and snatch the mic away from Trump. In doing this, DiMassimo hoped it would send a message to those in opposition of Trump to be unafraid of standing up to him. Trump may speak in bold terms, but in standing up against his "white supremacist ideals," they may be able to trump Trump in his progression to the White House. Later in the day after the rally, Trump took to Twitter, congratulating the United States Secret Service (USSS) on performing their duty, as well as calling out DiMassimo for supposedly having "ties" with ISIS, a strong and inaccurate accusation. In this tweet, Trump links to a video that includes the ISIS flag and seeming to make fun of DiMassimo. Yet the college senior denies the accusation, saying that it is ridiculous for Trump to even assume that he was a part of such a group. DiMassimo is an English-speaking Christian who has never stepped foot outside of the country. It seems that Trump, like in many other cases, was wrong on this one. Violence continues to follow Trump around at his rallies, and now the GOP front-runner is calling for the arrests of any future protesters at his rallies, as he is interrupted time and time again during his campaign speeches. Though it seems that the number one for the Republican nomination has forgotten our country's first amendment, which grants U.S. citizens the right to peacefully assemble. As DiMassimo says, the people need to continue to combat Trump in nonviolent protests, a tactic that seems to work since Trump is now calling for the arrests of those who disturb his rallies. Will these bumps along the campaign trail follow Trump to presidency? Only time - and voters - will tell. Don't forget to vote in Pennsylvania's primaries April 26.
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