Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson said Monday that if protesters at Donald Trump rallies continue their “Alinsky-ite tactics,” there could be further escalation in the future.
“I think, certainly, if the protesters continue with their Alinksy-ite tactics, there is a real possibility of escalation, because those who are the victims of them have two choices: They can submit to them and meekly just do whatever those protesters want them to do, or they can fight back,” Mr. Carson said on NBC’s “Today” program. “And if they decide to fight back, there could be an escalation.”
Asked if Mr. Trump, the Republican presidential front-runner, bears some responsibility for the violence that has occurred recently at his rallies, Mr. Carson said he thinks people have a tendency to focus on the wrong thing.
“The problem is that there are those who are being taught that if someone disagrees with you, you have the right to interfere with their First Amendment rights, their ability to express themselves, their freedom of speech,” he said. “That’s where the emphasis needs to be.”
“Now, when people do things wrong such as that, it causes other people to react in a way that is negative, and therefore you see that reaction,” said Mr. Carson, a former 2016 GOP presidential candidate who officially endorsed Mr. Trump on Friday.
“I think that this is a wonderful opportunity for Mr. Trump, for Bernie Sanders, for [Hillary] Clinton, for the other Republicans, to really stand up and to start talking to people about what First Amendment rights are, why they are so important as a part of the foundation of our country,” Mr. Carson said.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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