Full Notification

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump held a rally at the Holiday Inn Express and Janesville Convention Center on Tuesday March 29, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. At the same time protesters gathered outside the Holiday Inn Express for a freedom of speech event.

The intent of the Janesville Police Department was to facilitate the constitutional rights of free speech and assembly in a safe and nonviolent environment. For the most part, we were successful.

Monday night March 28, 2016 six protesters were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct, obstructing an officer, and trespass after refusing to leave the lobby of the Holiday Inn Express as part of an anti-Donald Trump protest. The protesters identified themselves as belonging to the group Showing Up for Racial Injustice. The group had locked themselves together inside of PVC piping before occupying the lobby area. Approximately 60 other protesters that had entered the lobby left the hotel at the request of police.

Over 350 officers from 20 different agencies were assigned in traffic control, perimeter control, crowd control, and tactical support.

Today’s event consisted of 1,000 attendees to the rally inside the Holiday Inn Express and 1,000 attendees outside the Holiday Inn Express consisting of both supporters and protesters.

Two persons concealed carried weapons, and two persons open carried weapons, all four were cooperative with law enforcement.

A 15 year girl from Janesville was peppered sprayed in the crowd by a non-law enforcement person. A 19 year old woman from Madison received 2nd hand spray as well. Both individuals received medical attention at local hospitals. A male in the crown groped the 15 year girl, when she pushed him away; another person in the crown sprayed her. We are currently looking for two suspects, one for the sexual assault and one for the pepper spray.

A good share of the Trump protestors left the area before Donald Trump spoke at the rally inside the Holiday Inn Express.

Two suspicious packages were found, we were able to investigate them both and they were cleared.

A vehicle was left abandoned in the middle of the street. There was concern there was an explosive device in the vehicle. While law enforcement personnel were processing the vehicle, the vehicle owner returned to the vehicle, they had left the vehicle in the street to get food. No explosive device was found.