Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE – Protesters overran police barricades and rushed the Albuquerque Convention Center where Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump was rallying supporters Tuesday evening.

Police outfitted in riot gear blocked the protesters as they tried to make their advance.

Protesters in the streets also started burning T-shirts and other items labeled with Trump’s catch phrase, “Make America Great Again.”

Inside, Trump continued to speaking to thousands of supporters despite being interrupted numerous times by people who tried to derail the event. Several protesters were also escorted out of the auditorium.

Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, said there was no way he wasn’t going to stop in New Mexico, and he vowed to be back before the general election in November.

Trump rallied thousands of supporters during a stop in Albuquerque on Tuesday night as protesters tried to derail his speech. He said he had all night, and that the event would be “a love fest.”

Some protesters were removed from the auditorium and the crowd responded with cheers, chants of “USA” and boos targeted at those who were disrupting the rally.

Outside, protesters charged police horse patrols and left the barricades where officers had them corralled earlier.

The animosity outside the rally grew as the scheduled arrival of Trump approached.

Some protesters even threw water bottles and water at the Trump supporters as they walked along a sidewalk leading to the Albuquerque Convention Center.

Dereck Scott of Albuquerque was among those who were hit with a plastic bottle.

Scott, who is in a wheelchair, said the attack was unprovoked and unnecessary. He says he has a right to vote for the candidate he prefers.

Protesters chanted “walk of shame” and called Trump supporters racists. Their boos escalated when any Trump supporters believed to be minorities walked by.