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As Trump Rally Nears, ACLU Reminds UIC: You Can't Keep Protesters Out

By DNAinfo Staff | March 11, 2016 10:04am
 Demonstrators hold up a piñata of Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump during a protest outside Trump Tower on October 12, 2015 in Chicago. About 250 demonstrators marched through downtown before holding a rally calling for immigration reform and fair wages in front of Trump Tower. Trump has been an outspoken proponent of a plan to deport undocumented immigrants.
Demonstrators hold up a piñata of Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump during a protest outside Trump Tower on October 12, 2015 in Chicago. About 250 demonstrators marched through downtown before holding a rally calling for immigration reform and fair wages in front of Trump Tower. Trump has been an outspoken proponent of a plan to deport undocumented immigrants.
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Scott Olson / Staff

CHICAGO — The American Civil Liberties Union's Illinois chapter sent a letter to University of Illinois at Chicago Chancellor Michael Amiridis Friday issuing a warning ahead of the planned Donald Trump rally scheduled for 6 p.m. at the pavilion on campus.

The civil rights group raised concerns about "the safety and civil liberties of those attending the Donald Trump rally," citing "reports of a number of disturbing incidents at Trump rallies in recent days, including on college campuses."

After several high-profile incidents of Trump protesters being battered or threatened at events, the New York Times said being a protester in a Trump rally could be "the riskiest political act of 2016." 

The ACLU urges the university chancellor to take "proactive steps to minimize the likelihood of civil liberties violations" at the Friday rally.

Suggestions include publicizing in advance what type of conduct will lead to exclusion or removal from the pavilion for attendees; vetting the campaign officials who are (and are not) authorized to direct security to remove attendees; and issuing strict orders in advance that action should not be taken against individuals on the basis of race, religion, sex, disability or any other characteristic protected by the Illinois Human Rights Act.

"Chicago should not repeat the mistakes of Valdosta, [Ga.], where a group of mostly African-American students were escorted from a Trump rally."

"UIC can and should avoid this type of situation," concludes the letter, signed by Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Glenberg.

For more information about Friday's Donald Trump rally in University Village, click here.

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