Supporters of Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump have invoked his name duringacts of violence. Now, one Chicago Trump protester said he has voicemails and texts from the candidate's fans that are filled with "death threats and hate messages."
Ben Bobo, one organizer of last Friday's Chicago protest against Trump, said his phone number leaked to Trump supporters. Bobo released recordings of voicemails from Trump supporters on YouTube, and provided screenshots of text messages to NTRSCTN. Some of the voicemails include statements such as, "You need to be shot," "I hope they find your body with your neck slashed," "We're coming for you," and "Hey communist, watch your back."
Bobo told NTRSCTN that he wanted to protest Trump's rally to send the message that "Trump's hate and racist rhetoric needs to stop. That we as Chicagoans and we as citizens will stand up against it. Furthermore, we wanted to be let it known in Chicago, the U.S., and [abroad] that Trump does not represent us."
For being one of thousands of protesters against Trump last weekend, Bobo said he has become a target of the GOP frontrunner's supporters.
Warning: The audio and text in the following video and photos contain violent, racist, and homophobic language.
By publishing these messages, Bobo said he hopes to impart "love, not hate. Even though all these people have sent death threats and hate messages, I will still respond with respect and dignity. There is no better evidence for why we protested than the hate I have received."
Bobo said he filed a police report with the Chicago Police Department on Monday, and has since changed his phone number.
Trump's campaign did not immediately respond to NTRSCTN's request for comment.
Disclosure: The author of this article participated in Chicago’s Trump protests for which Bobo was her protest organizer.
