The man behind the Trump rally disturbance in Reno,

[Wingnut]

RENO, Nev. — The man who caused a commotion at a Donald Trump rally Saturday said he's a registered Republican who wanted only to show his displeasure with his party's nominee.

Members of the audience at the event for the GOP presidential nominee tackled Austyn Crites, 33, of Reno after someone yelled "gun" while others were trying to rip away his anti-Trump sign.

"I just went with sign that said 'Republicans Against Trump,’ " Crites said. "It’s a sign that you can find online. I held up the sign and initially people around me were just booing me telling me to get out of there. Then a couple of these guys tried grabbing the sign out of my hands."

Crites had no weapon. Secret Service agents later released a statement to that effect and let him go without charges.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/11/06/donald-trump-nevada-rally/93385996/

[Cripplecreek]

someone yelled "gun"

Now why would someone do that?

[Gefn]

Now why would someone do that?

Hmmm.

[Wingnut]

Now why would someone do that?

[mountaineer]

[sinkspur]

Trump supporters are as paranoid as he is.

[ConstitutionRose]

Only an idiot would go to a Trump rally with a sign like that. He was obviously looking to agitate, or maybe position himself for a lawsuit.

He has the same right of free speech as does any other citizen.  For instance, the same right to protest as does a Trump supporter at a Hillary gathering.

[mountaineer]

Protest signs are one thing (yes, he has the right to so express himself), but why rush the stage? What does that accomplish and how could security not see that as a threat?

It's just irrational behavior, but the guy is a Clinton supporter, after all, so lack of a thought process is a given.

[sinkspur]

Only an idiot would go to a Trump rally with a sign like that. He was obviously looking to agitate, or maybe position himself for a lawsuit.

Given the makeup of Trump's crowds, the guy was putting his own life in jeopardy.

[ConstitutionRose]

Maybe not.  We are dual state residents.  My husband chooses to vote in one state, I in another.  So long as we do not vote twice we are not committing vote fraud. 

[sinkspur]

Protest signs are one thing (yes, he has the right to so express himself), but why rush the stage? What does that accomplish and how could security not see that as a threat?

It's just irrational behavior, but the guy is a Clinton supporter, after all, so lack of a thought process is a given.

He didn't rush the stage.  He was rushed.

Some Trumproid shouted "gun" which was why the SS sprang into action.

[mountaineer]

Here's an even-handed description of what happened and who Crites is.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Protest signs are one thing (yes, he has the right to so express himself), but why rush the stage? What does that accomplish and how could security not see that as a threat?

It's just irrational behavior, but the guy is a Clinton supporter, after all, so lack of a thought process is a given.

He didn't rush the stage. He was near the front of the stage.

He held up a sign, and was beaten for it.

From the article:

"Multiple people just tackled me down, kicking me choking me and just beating me up," he said. "That’s when things even got crazier. I was on the ground and people were holding my arms, legs and I kept saying I can barely breathe. I was turning my neck just to get a little bit of air to keep from passing out."

~~~snip~~~

What's baffling to Crites is how anyone could have thought he had a gun. His sign was in the air for some time and he wasn't making any sudden movements, he said.

"It wasn’t like they noticed something suspicious and tackled me," Crites said. "That’s not the case."

[mountaineer]

Okay, he didn't rush the stage. I misunderstood. He had an anti-Trump sign. Got it.

[Oceander]

Only an idiot would go to a Trump rally with a sign like that. He was obviously looking to agitate, or maybe position himself for a lawsuit.

Ahh, so violence is excusable if the victim "asked for it"?

[Cripplecreek]

He didn't rush the stage. He was near the front of the stage.

He held up a sign, and was beaten for it.

From the article:

Nothing really surprises me with the Alinskyite behavior of the Trump campaign and his fans.

[Oceander]

He didn't rush the stage. He was near the front of the stage.

He held up a sign, and was beaten for it.

From the article:

Like Trump, like supporters.  They incite - and engage in - suppression of speech, either by lawsuit or, as in this case, direct violence.

Now I'm thinking the Secret Service was as much interested in saving this poor schmuck from the crowd as they were in making sure he wasn't a threat to Trump.  Mob violence, when directed at a particular individual, is disgusting.

[Luis Gonzalez]

I voted early for the first time in my life.

I did it for two reasons... I wanted to vote with my son who was voting for the first time and came home from college to do it, and I think that there may be incidents at voting places on Election Day so I don't want to be near them.

[TomSea]

This is important and somewhat of what I heard, though the USA Today piece is written glowingly of this guy, apparently he's a known Democratic operative and maybe even mentioned in wikileaks emails multiple times.

[Oceander]

This is important and somewhat of what I heard, though the USA Today piece is written glowingly of this guy, apparently he's a known Democratic operative and maybe even mentioned in wikileaks emails multiple times.

Ahhh.  So it's a real shame that the mob didn't get a chance to finish him off before the Secret Service intervened?  More and more, I think they were as concerned for his safety as they were for Trump's safety.  Mob violence is disgusting, no matter who engages in it.

[Oceander]

I voted early for the first time in my life.

I did it for two reasons... I wanted to vote with my son who was voting for the first time and came home from college to do it, and I think that there may be incidents at voting places on Election Day so I don't want to be near them.

Congratulations to your son.  And an interesting thought re. early voting.  I missed the opportunity to send in an absentee ballot, so I'll just have to wait until Tuesday.  Still, the town where I live is a very quiet little town, and people are almost uniformly decent, so I doubt there'll be incidents to worry about.  Besides, my polling place is in the firehouse down the street; I'm sure they can handle any shmoo who might come along.

[beandog]

Only an idiot would go to a Trump rally with a sign like that. He was obviously looking to agitate, or maybe position himself for a lawsuit.

I agree with you.  I think people who go inside a rally for either candidate to do something like this are just punks looking for trouble.  If you want to protest stand outside the rally with your little sign.  I believe he was looking for attention and that's what he got.

[Oceander]

I agree with you.  I think people who go inside a rally for either candidate to do something like this are just punks looking for trouble.  If you want to protest stand outside the rally with your little sign.  I believe he was looking for attention and that's what he got.

@beandog
So it's too bad the mob inside didn't get a chance to finish him off then?

And provocatively dressed women are just asking to be raped, too (or Trump-groped, perhaps)?

[Cripplecreek]

@beandog
So it's too bad the mob inside didn't get a chance to finish him off then?

And provocatively dressed women are just asking to be raped, too (or Trump-groped, perhaps)?

Remember the Trump supporter screaming in Ted Cruz's face? As I recall, most Trump supporters thought it was awesome.

[Applewood]

Trump was lucky it wasn't a gun, but if he and many of his followers don't curb their violent rhetoric, one day there will be a real gun.  Seems to me they are inviting trouble.  Bad enough we have whackos running around gunning down innocent children without any provocation.  Why are Trump and his surrogates trying to get him killed?

[Luis Gonzalez]

I agree with you.  I think people who go inside a rally for either candidate to do something like this are just punks looking for trouble.  If you want to protest stand outside the rally with your little sign.  I believe he was looking for attention and that's what he got.

"Attention"?

He got a beating.

A beating is to getting attention what rape is to flirting.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Remember the Trump supporter screaming in Ted Cruz's face? As I recall, most Trump supporters thought it was awesome.

Funny, isn't it?

[sneakypete]

I voted early for the first time in my life.

I did it for two reasons... I wanted to vote with my son who was voting for the first time and came home from college to do it, and I think that there may be incidents at voting places on Election Day so I don't want to be near them.

@Luis Gonzalez

I'd almost pay cash money to have one of those cretins  come at me when I got to the local polling place to cast my vote.

[TomSea]

http://heavy.com/news/2016/11/austyn-crites-donald-trump-reno-nevada-polls-rally-austin-protester-video-rushed-off-stage-secret-service-republican-democrat-dnc-hillary-clinton-plant-allegations/

#2: The guy is mentioned in wikileaks though not in regards of a relationship to the Clinton campaign. Still, very out of the ordinary.

http://www.activistpost.com/2016/11/no-one-tried-assassinate-donald-trump-austyn-crites-shows-wikileaks-7-times.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ActivistPost+%28Activist+Post%29

[Oceander]

http://heavy.com/news/2016/11/austyn-crites-donald-trump-reno-nevada-polls-rally-austin-protester-video-rushed-off-stage-secret-service-republican-democrat-dnc-hillary-clinton-plant-allegations/

#2: The guy is mentioned in wikileaks though not in regards of a relationship to the Clinton campaign. Still, very out of the ordinary.

http://www.activistpost.com/2016/11/no-one-tried-assassinate-donald-trump-austyn-crites-shows-wikileaks-7-times.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ActivistPost+%28Activist+Post%29

That still does not justify the mob violence that was inflicted on him.  Responsible people fight ideas with ideas and speech with speech.  They do not do so with threats of libel suits and mob violence.

[Luis Gonzalez]

@Luis Gonzalez

I'd almost pay cash money to have one of those cretins  come at me when I got to the local polling place to cast my vote.

Even voting early on a Sunday, we couldn't get from our car to the polling place without a dozen people trying to shove pamphlets in our hands and blocking our way in order to convince us to vote for or against something or someone. So it's not like I fear that someone would come at me per se, but that someone is going to shove someone out of the way and crap will start.

[Luis Gonzalez]

http://heavy.com/news/2016/11/austyn-crites-donald-trump-reno-nevada-polls-rally-austin-protester-video-rushed-off-stage-secret-service-republican-democrat-dnc-hillary-clinton-plant-allegations/

#2: The guy is mentioned in wikileaks though not in regards of a relationship to the Clinton campaign. Still, very out of the ordinary.

http://www.activistpost.com/2016/11/no-one-tried-assassinate-donald-trump-austyn-crites-shows-wikileaks-7-times.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ActivistPost+%28Activist+Post%29

He bought a book, or maybe several books.

HANG HIM!

HE READS!

Anyone who reads books is obviously a plant in a Trump rally.

[ABX]

http://heavy.com/news/2016/11/austyn-crites-donald-trump-reno-nevada-polls-rally-austin-protester-video-rushed-off-stage-secret-service-republican-democrat-dnc-hillary-clinton-plant-allegations/

#2: The guy is mentioned in wikileaks though not in regards of a relationship to the Clinton campaign. Still, very out of the ordinary.

http://www.activistpost.com/2016/11/no-one-tried-assassinate-donald-trump-austyn-crites-shows-wikileaks-7-times.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ActivistPost+%28Activist+Post%29

What he shows up on in Wikileaks are mass spreadsheets of mailing lists. I wouldn't be surprised if some people here were on that just to get opposition info on the campaign for stories.

[ABX]

Remember the Trump supporter screaming in Ted Cruz's face? As I recall, most Trump supporters thought it was awesome.

They had to have security escort Heidi Cruz out from the convention because people were screaming at her and getting in her face. Grown men yelling like children at a women. It was a disgrace. It was part of what solidified my strong (versus passive) opposition to not only Trump, but what he was creating.

[mountaineer]

Ahh, so violence is excusable if the victim "asked for it"?

Nobody said that.

[Silver Pines]

I agree with you.  I think people who go inside a rally for either candidate to do something like this are just punks looking for trouble.  If you want to protest stand outside the rally with your little sign.  I believe he was looking for attention and that's what he got.

@beandog

Seriously?  Those Trump yahoos were justified in beating him?

According to his rights, he was free to bring his sign into the rally without fear of being assaulted.

[Silver Pines]

Remember the Trump supporter screaming in Ted Cruz's face? As I recall, most Trump supporters thought it was awesome.

@Cripplecreek

Another site said it was a miracle the crowd didn't tear the guy apart.  For raising a sign.

[Oceander]

Nobody said that.

Nobody used those exact words, true enough, but if I talk about a feathered biped that is caricatured by a Disney character named Donald who doesn't wear pants, just a blue jacket and a silly sailor hat, I think we all know I'm talking about a duck.

[HonestJohn]

Now why would someone do that?

Someone desperate to create a story that his gullible supporters will be predisposed to believe.

[sinkspur]

Jill Filipovic ‏@JillFilipovic  7h7 hours ago
Carry a Clinton sign at a Trump rally, get beaten & choked. Carry a Trump sign at a Clinton rally, Obama defends you.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2016/11/04/watch-obama-defend-a-trump-supporters-rights-at-a-clinton-rally/

[sinkspur]

James Cook ‏@BBCJamesCook  12h12 hours ago
Austyn Crites says
1. I held up Republicans against Trump sign.
2. I was kicked and choked.
3. Someone shouted gun.
4. I was saved by cops.

[Oceander]

Jill Filipovic ‏@JillFilipovic  7h7 hours ago
Carry a Clinton sign at a Trump rally, get beaten & choked. Carry a Trump sign at a Clinton rally, Obama defends you.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2016/11/04/watch-obama-defend-a-trump-supporters-rights-at-a-clinton-rally/

What a set up.  They're playing Trump and his thin skin like a virtuoso violinist does her violin.  This will definitely be running side-by-side with the ridiculous tweet from the Trump campaign all throughout tomorrow.

[beandog]

@beandog

Seriously?  Those Trump yahoos were justified in beating him?

According to his rights, he was free to bring his sign into the rally without fear of being assaulted.

His rights have nothing to do with it.  You have the right to hunt a Bear.  If the Bear eats you instead, my sympathy for you is very low.  You have with the right to swim in alligator infested watesr but if the alligator eats you instead, my sympathy for you is very low. 

You may have the right to protest inside a tRump rally but if you get the crap kicked out of you, my sympathy for you is very low.  A rally is for supporters of a candidate.  If you choose to go in with the express purpose of causing trouble, my sympathy for you is very low.

I think all you people who are getting your panties in a bunch are just doing it because it's tRump and his supporters.

[sneakypete]

Even voting early on a Sunday, we couldn't get from our car to the polling place without a dozen people trying to shove pamphlets in our hands and blocking our way in order to convince us to vote for or against something or someone. So it's not like I fear that someone would come at me per se, but that someone is going to shove someone out of the way and crap will start.

@Luis Gonzalez

People trying to force me to take pamphlets I don't want is one thing. Getting in my face and trying to intimidate me by screaming or threatening me is something else,though. I respond to aggression with even more aggression.

[Luis Gonzalez]

His rights have nothing to do with it.  You have the right to hunt a Bear.  If the Bear eats you instead, my sympathy for you is very low.  You have with the right to swim in alligator infested watesr but if the alligator eats you instead, my sympathy for you is very low. 

You may have the right to protest inside a tRump rally but if you get the crap kicked out of you, my sympathy for you is very low.  A rally is for supporters of a candidate.  If you choose to go in with the express purpose of causing trouble, my sympathy for you is very low.

I think all you people who are getting your panties in a bunch are just doing it because it's tRump and his supporters.

So you're creating some kind of connection between the primal instincts of beasts to stimuli and the reaction of Trump supporters to stimuli in order to justify the beahavior of Trump's supporters at the rally.

Oddly appropriate, oddly enough.

[sinkspur]

Dangerous madman at Trump rally escorted off stage by Secret Service:

[Silver Pines]

His rights have nothing to do with it.  You have the right to hunt a Bear.  If the Bear eats you instead, my sympathy for you is very low.  You have with the right to swim in alligator infested watesr but if the alligator eats you instead, my sympathy for you is very low. 

You may have the right to protest inside a tRump rally but if you get the crap kicked out of you, my sympathy for you is very low.  A rally is for supporters of a candidate.  If you choose to go in with the express purpose of causing trouble, my sympathy for you is very low.

I think all you people who are getting your panties in a bunch are just doing it because it's tRump and his supporters.

@beandog

You can think what you want, but it comes down to your approval of a violent response to an attempt at peaceful protest, and that's bull under any circumstances.  If Cruz were the nominee and a Hillary supporter was physically attacked for holding a sign, my opinion would be the same. 

[Oceander]

His rights have nothing to do with it.  You have the right to hunt a Bear.  If the Bear eats you instead, my sympathy for you is very low.  You have with the right to swim in alligator infested watesr but if the alligator eats you instead, my sympathy for you is very low. 

You may have the right to protest inside a tRump rally but if you get the crap kicked out of you, my sympathy for you is very low.  A rally is for supporters of a candidate.  If you choose to go in with the express purpose of causing trouble, my sympathy for you is very low.

I think all you people who are getting your panties in a bunch are just doing it because it's tRump and his supporters.

His rights have everything to deal with it.  Respecting other people's rights, especially the rights of those we disagree with, is largely what separates us from the communists and the fascists, and the downright plain evil. 

I don't want to side with the Brownshirts, do you?

[ABX]

His rights have nothing to do with it.  You have the right to hunt a Bear.  If the Bear eats you instead, my sympathy for you is very low.  You have with the right to swim in alligator infested watesr but if the alligator eats you instead, my sympathy for you is very low. 

You may have the right to protest inside a tRump rally but if you get the crap kicked out of you, my sympathy for you is very low.  A rally is for supporters of a candidate.  If you choose to go in with the express purpose of causing trouble, my sympathy for you is very low.

I think all you people who are getting your panties in a bunch are just doing it because it's tRump and his supporters.

I was a Protest Warrior counter protestor back in the day (counter protesting Iraq war protestors). Are you saying that I should have been tackled and beaten up by the anti-war hippies and would deserve no sympathy? I protested a Wendy Davis speech a few  years ago how about then? Hell, the very first political action I remember taking was when Bill Clinton came to town in 92, I was still in High School, and they bussed the students to see him.  I wore a Bush/Quayle hat and shirt and carried a sign in support of them (I can't remember what it said). Should I have been tackled and beaten up?

You don't respond to opposing speech with violence. You don't even respond to a non-violent protestor with violence. The proper course of action would have been to isolate him and escort him out like what usually happens to so many protestors. Not tackle him and start kicking and punching him and grabbing his balls. (and only after they tackled him did someone else yell 'gun' (which there wasn't one).

[Cripplecreek]

You don't respond to opposing speech with violence. You don't even respond to a non-violent protestor with violence. The proper course of action would have been to isolate him and escort him out like what usually happens to so many protestors. Not tackle him and start kicking and punching him and grabbing his balls. (and only after they tackled him did someone else yell 'gun' (which there wasn't one).

That yelling "Gun" crap sounds like a particularly dangerous form of "swatting" that could have ended with people dead and or wounded.