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Trump supporters clash with protesters at MAGA rallies

Sunday, 26 March 2017 5:40 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 26 March 2017 5:48 AM ]

Pro-Trump rally participants mix with anti-Trump protester as the two sides clash during a rally in Huntington Beach, California, March 25, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

Scuffles have erupted in several US cities as supporters of President Donald Trump faced off protesters at Make America Great Again (MAGA) rallies.

Scores of Trump supporters gathered near Independence Hall in Philadelphia at midday Saturday, taking part in a MAGA march, which was part of a nationwide event honoring President Trump's signature campaign slogan, "Make American Great Again."

They were met by a counter demonstration. The protests were largely peaceful but insults and jibes were exchanged between the two sides and police had to intervene.

“This march is over. All of you have to disperse,” said a Philadelphia police officer.

Both groups dispersed shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday.

Also, more than 2,000 people turned out for a MAGA rally on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Scuffles broke out between pro-and anti-Trump marchers.

Apart from the incident, in which the anti-Trump demonstrators were pushed out of the fray, the rally was reportedly peaceful.

In California, Trump supporters holding a rally in Huntington Beach clashed with protesters, which led to the arrest of four people.

Pro-Trump rally participants are seen during the Southern California Make America Great Again march in Huntington Beach, California, March 25, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

The fights started early in the afternoon when around a dozen anti-Trump protesters dressed in all black refused to move from a bike path to allow a larger group of Trump supporters to pass.

“I'm not just here in support of Trump, but our vets, military, police officers and emergency responders,” said Darlene Savord of Tustin, one of the organizers.

She later described the event as “a huge, huge success,” and dismissed the violence. “We had a lot of Trump supporters here, which shows that we are united.”

Police detain anti-Trump demonstrators during a pro-Trump rally in Huntington Beach, California, March 25, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

Before the rally began, counter-protesters said they were planning to try to stop the march's progress with a “human wall.”

Earlier this month, a rally in Berkeley, California, turned violent as Trump supporters clashed with counter-protesters in several fights that led to the arrest of 10 people and left at least seven people injured.

A masked protester pushes a Trump supporter at a MAGA rally in Huntington Beach, March 25, 2017. (Credit: Daily Mail)

Furthermore on Saturday, hundreds of people attended another pro-Trump rally at McKinley Park in Sacramento and marched to Sutter's Fort.

They were only met by one lone anti-Trump protester.

“We're doing this in honor of our veterans, our first responders, police department, firemen, you name it,” said Alicia Peterson, the leader of the Northern California MAGA march. “This is a nationwide event, all states at the same place at the same time.”