Anti-Trump protesters attack supporters at his rally in California

A woman wearing a Trump shirt is pelted with eggs by protesters while pinned against a door near where Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump holds a rally in San Jose, California on June 2, 2016.
Protesters attacked Trump supporters as they left the rally, burned an american flag, trump paraphernalia and scuffled with police and each other.
PHOTO: AFP
A Trump hat burning during a protest near where Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump held a rally in San Jose, California on June 2, 2016. Protesters attacked trump supporters as they left the rally, burned an american flag, trump paraphernalia and scuffled with police and each other. PHOTO: AFP
A woman falls as police officers move the line during a demonstration against Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump outside his campaign event in San Jose, California, US on June 2, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS
A youth (centre) wearing a Donald Trump t-shirt runs as he is chased by protesters near the venue where Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was speaking during a rally in San Jose, California on June 2, 2016. Protesters who oppose Donald Trump scuffled with his supporters on June 2 as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee held a rally in California, with fistfights erupting and one supporter hit with an egg. PHOTO: AFP
Anti-Trump protesters and supporters argue outside a venue where Donald Trump will speak in San Diego, California on May 27, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

SAN JOSE (AFP) - Protesters who oppose billionaire Donald Trump scuffled with his supporters on Thursday (June 2) as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee held a rally in California, with fistfights erupting and one supporter hit with an egg.

Hundreds of demonstrators blocked a police van and then entered the parking area of the San Jose Convention Centre, where the event took place, insulting Mr Trump supporters in their cars and attacking those leaving the rally.

A dozen or more people were punched, the Los Angeles Times reported, saying at least one person was hit with an egg.

ABC News reported that some protesters surrounded the car of a presumed Trump supporter as it left the convention center garage, shaking the car and smashing its tail light.

Crowds had earlier chanted "No hate in our state" and carried signs that read "Dump Trump" as they marched near the convention centre.

One protester was seen burning an American flag and some supporters were spat on. Several fistfights erupted but were quickly broken up.

The police were out in force, at one point forming a line to allow Trump supporters access to the rally and prevent clashes that have erupted at a number of the real estate magnate's events in recent weeks.

Mr Trump was last in the San Jose area in April, when he spoke at the California Republican Party convention where protesters blocked access to the venue, forcing him to use the back door.

Last week, dozens of protesters were arrested in San Diego after a campaign appearance by Trump, who has angered many with his rhetoric against Hispanics, women, Muslims and others.

Demonstrations at a Trump rally in New Mexico last month also turned violent as protestors overran barricades and clashed with police in riot gear.

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