Since the start of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, he’s been called out for his divisive language and prejudices against minorities and Muslims. He’s been accused of sexual assault and sexism based on previously recorded and recently released audio evidence. Also, he’s been accused of inciting violence at his campaign rallies, which resulted in a lawsuit.
Back in 2016, three protesters, Kashiya Nwanguma, Molly Shah and Kendra Brousseau accused the celebrity-in-chief of encouraging violence, after they were beaten up by his supporters at a rally in Louisville, Kentucky. The incident was caught on tape, showing most of the physical altercation between Trump’s supporters, Matthew Heimbach, Alvin Bamberger and a third supporter who has not been identified, and the protesters with Trump pointing at the victims yelling, “Get them out.” In turn, the protesters sued.
Trump’s counsel moved to have the suit dismissed, arguing free speech, adding that they had no duty to the plaintiffs, who took a risk by choosing to protest at the rally, ABC News reports. However, on Friday, a judge denied the request to dismiss.
“It is plausible that Trump’s direction to ‘get ‘em out of here’ advocated the use of force,” the judge wrote, in his decision to allow the lawsuit to proceed. “It was an order, an instruction, a command.”
The judge also agreed to allow the allegations against the supporters and the Trump campaign, citing racial slurs and hate comments toward Nwanguma, an African American woman.
“While the words themselves are repulsive, they are relevant to show the atmosphere in which the alleged events occurred,” the judge added.
“In sum, the Court finds that Plaintiffs have adequately alleged that their harm was foreseeable and the Trump defendants had a duty to prevent it.”
