As Donald Trump's motorcade entered Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Thursday night, about 200 protesters were waiting for him.
A peaceful protest was held outside of the Portsmouth Sheraton hotel ahead of a presidential forum, hosted by the New England Police Benevolent Association, a New England police union. The union announced its endorsement for Trump at the event. Immediately after, Trump called for the death penalty for anyone who kills an officer.
The Republican front-runner created another a controversy this week when he said that the United States should ban Muslims from entering the country, due to terrorism concerns.
"He says a lot of things that Americans are thinking, but are too afraid to say," said Trump supporter Kendall Frizzel.
There were about a dozen Trump supporters outside the Portsmouth hotel, and hundreds of protesters.
"We need to not let hatred take over this country," said anti-Trump protester Brian Lange.
"As a faith leader, I am appalled at the vitriol and xenophobia," said Rev. Dr. Mary Westfall, a minister at the Community Church of Durham and the United Church of Christ.
Politics
"I want to be here in support of my Muslim brothers and sisters," she said. "There has been an increase in fear and threats, and it's ratcheting up the tensions that lead to violence. That is not New Hampshire."
The rally comes the same day a CBS/New York Times poll is released, that shows Trump solidifying his front-runner status with 35 percent of the Republican vote nation-wide. The poll, however, was largely conducted before Trump's remarks about banning Muslims from entering the country.
"I think his numbers get stronger the more he is criticized," said Frizzel.
"He's truth-telling - tells it like it is," said another Trump supporter, John Bassett. "He doesn't care what people think, and that's why he's skyrocketing in the polls.
