The videos in this article can be accessed at: https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/31/politics/biden-bus-2020-campaign-texas-trump-supporters/index.html
Biden campaign cancels Texas event after Trump supporters surround bus on interstate
(CNN) A campaign bus for Joe Biden traveling Friday from San Antonio to Austin, Texas, was surrounded by multiple vehicles with Trump signs that attempted to slow down the bus and run it off the road, a Biden campaign official tells CNN.
According to a source familiar with the incident, the vehicles were a "Trump Train group." These groups are known in parts of the state and organize events that involve their cars with flags and Trump paraphernalia and drive around to show support for President Donald Trump. The group began yelling profanities and obscenities and then blockaded the entire Biden entourage.
At one point they slowed the tour bus to roughly 20 mph on Interstate 35, the campaign official said. The vehicles slowed down to try to stop the bus in the middle of the highway. The source said there were nearly 100 vehicles around the campaign bus. Biden staffers were rattled by the event, the source said, though no one was hurt.
Neither Biden nor his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, were on the bus.
Staffers on the bus called 911, which eventually led to local law enforcement assisting the bus to its destination. The Biden campaign, out of what was described as an abundance of caution, ended up canceling an event scheduled for later that day in Austin, the aide said.
Late Saturday night, Trump tweeted a video of the caravan surrounding the Biden bus with the caption, "I LOVE TEXAS!"
Multiple sources tell CNN that Wendy Davis, a former state senator who is challenging Republican Rep. Chip Roy for Texas' 21st Congressional District, was on the bus. Davis' campaign declined to comment.
"Rather than engage in productive conversation about the drastically different visions that Joe Biden and Donald Trump have for our country, Trump supporters in Texas today instead decided to put our staff, surrogates, supporters, and others in harm's way," Biden campaign Texas communications director Tariq Thowfeek told CNN.
MORE ON VOTING
- CNN's Election 101
- Info on deadlines, poll locations and more
- How to stay safe when voting in person
- What not to wear when you go vote
- What each state says about taking photos when you vote
- What to do if your right to vote is challenged
- How to spot a red or blue 'mirage' in early election night results
- Your questions about voting, answered
"Our supporters will continue to organize their communities for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Democrats up and down the ballot, and to the Texans who disrupted our events today: We'll see you on November 3rd," Thowfeek said.
CNN has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.
This story has been updated to include additional confirmation of Davis' presence on the Biden campaign bus.
"Who Gets The Political Support Of 892 Certifiable U.S. Hate Groups?"
"Antifa Has Killed One Person In 25 Years. In That Same Span, Right-Wing Extremists Have Killed 329"
How Will Trump Name The Secret Police? (A Great Steve Sack Cartoon!)
The Central Horror Of Trumpism
No comments:
Post a Comment