Donald Trump rally in Fresno draws protests; San Diego prepares

FRESNO - Vocal protesters marched outside a Donald Trump campaign event Friday in Fresno, where numerous police were deployed following similar events around the country that led to violence and arrests.

Several hundred demonstrators chanted, held signs and then began marching around the downtown Fresno arena where the presumptive Republican presidential nominee spoke to supporters. He was later to travel to San Diego as he campaigns ahead of California's June 7 primary.

The Fresno protesters - a largely young and Latino crowd - chanted "keep hate out of our state" and held signs with slogans such as "Trump needs to be dumped." A fence separated demonstrators from the arena entrance.

At one point a protester pulled at a gate but other demonstrators tried to calm him down. Police formed a line between the protester and the gate. Despite tense moments, there were no arrests by the time the rally ended.

Ticket-holders arriving for the event took pictures of the protesters with their phones and fellow Trump supporters urged them to not respond to demonstrators.

"We need to put up a wall to keep them out," said Trump supporter Christine Kinyoun, 44, of Hanford.

Heading into the rally, Darrell Hedden, 59, of Hanford, said he thinks Trump would restore U.S. pride.

"I came to see Donald Trump make history. He's going to make this country better," Hedden said.

Jacqueline Saavedra, 18, traveled to Fresno from East Los Angeles to protest.

"I have a family of immigrants," she said. "My father came here illegally to work in the fields. He did give us a better life. He's a good man. I'm here for my people."

San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman said her department prepared by speaking with police agencies in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Anaheim. Officers in uniforms and plain clothes will surround the San Diego event, she said.

"For anyone who comes to disrupt, to do illegal activities, we will take swift and decisive action to make sure we have a peaceful event," Zimmerman said.

Trump's appearances have brought together large numbers of supporters and protesters, often divided over his comments about immigrants and Muslims and his plan to build a wall on the Mexican border.

At least eight people were arrested outside a Trump rally this week in Anaheim, a day after anti-Trump demonstrators in Albuquerque clashed with police.

Demonstrators in the Orange County city of Costa Mesa last month damaged police cars and threw bottles, leading to 17 arrests.

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Watson reported from San Diego.