Bay Area Rally Against Trump Remains Largely Peaceful

Hundreds of protesters rallied against presidential candidate Donald Trump at the California Republican convention on Friday, delaying Trump's speech and forcing him to take an unconventional route into the convention. At least five people were arrested, according to the Burlingame Police Lt. Jay Kiely.

While violence broke out at a Trump rally in Orange County the day before, protesters assembled outside of the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame remained mostly peaceful. One person received minor injuries, Kiely said.

Ashoka Finley arrived early with a basket full of banana bread to share with fellow demonstrators.

"I’m not trying to antagonize [Republicans], it's not the point. If they don’t realize that their interests are not aligned with the interests of the people that they’re supporting then that’s their own process of healing and learning. I’m not going to fight them."

The rally ranged in focus; some protestors chanted against police brutality or Wall Street, and a group of anarchists lit an American flag on fire. Most protesters, however, gathered to denounce Trump and his rhetoric toward immigrants and Muslims.

"As Californians, we need to be louder. We need to peaceful," said San Francisco resident Sean Shoffstall. "We need to show the country and the world that just because [Republican candidates] are loud and on the news all the time doesn’t mean that there isn’t a counter message out here as well."

The rally began early in the morning outside of the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame, spilling into the street in front of the hotel. Eventually, Burlingame police with the assistance of closed off the 1300 block of Old Bayshore Highway, and the California Highway Patrol redirected cars exiting from Highway 101 back onto the freeway.

The protest did escalate at a few points during the day. Demonstrators pushed through metal barricades and charged the front entrance of the hotel, crashing into a line of police officers.

Before Trump arrived, some protesters managed to gain access to the hotel and briefly hang a large "Stop Hate" banner inside the hotel's window.

Later, officers pushed a crowd of protestors out of the hotel driveway and into the street.

Trump's Entrance

Trump's arrival at the Hyatt was delayed by the protests, forcing the Republican frontrunner to cross a freeway barricade to make it to the hotel.

State Party Chairman Jim Brulte opened the luncheon by criticizing the protesters.

"Some people who don't believe in free speech tried to stop Donald Trump from getting into the hotel," he said.

When Trump took the stage, he made sure to let the assembled activists know of his journey to the stage.

“I’m coming through dirt and mud and under fences," Trump said. "You all go through the lobby.”

As Trump spoke, protesters outside chanted, danced, burned Trump effigies and in some cases threw eggs at police guarding the hotel entrance. One hotel window was broken and some people jumped on top of cars and had angry exchanges with Trump supporters coming and going from the building. Other protesters chided them, however, and tried to protect Trump supporters and prevent any violence.

Nicole Reinert contributed to this report.