Muslim woman removed from Donald Trump rally 'for handing out pens'

Rose Hamid had been handing out pens in the shape of flowers displaying the word 'peace'

Lizzie Dearden
Friday 19 August 2016 08:25 BST
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Police escort Rose Hamid out of Donald Trump's campaign rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, on 18 August 2016
Police escort Rose Hamid out of Donald Trump's campaign rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, on 18 August 2016

A Muslim woman has been ejected from a Donald Trump rally after handing out pens inscribed with the word “peace”.

Rose Hamid said a member of the Republican Presidential candidate’s security staff removed her from the event in Charlotte, North Carolina, because she was causing a “disturbance”.

“I just wanted to let people know that Muslims who don’t support Trump can get along with people who do support Trump,” she told WBTV News on Thursday, saying she had positive conversations with Trump supporters.

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“[The guard] claimed that I had been at several other events and caused disturbances, which is a lie, so that tells me they have a prejudice against Muslims.”

Ms Hamid remained outside the convention centre to give out the pens, which were in the shape of roses and displayed the Arabic word “salam”, which means “peace” and is used as a greeting.

The 56-year-old was escorted out a previous Trump rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, after holding a silent protest over his policy on Syrian refugees in January.

As Ms Hamid stood wearing a hijab and yellow star with the word “Muslim” written on it, reminiscent of those worn by Jews in Nazi Germany, she was shouted at by supporters including one who yelled: “You have a bomb, you have a bomb.”

Police said they ejected her from the event because Mr Trump’s campaign staff instructed officers to remove “anybody who made any kind of disturbance”.

The billionaire had previously provoked global outrage by calling for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US and forcing them to carry special ID cards.

Mr Trump has since backed down on the proposal and appeared to deliver a scripted apology to people offended by a string of controversies at his rally on Thursday night.

“Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that,” said the GOP nominee.

“And believe it or not, I regret it - and I do regret it - particularly where it may have caused personal pain.”

Mr Trump has recently drawn criticism for a public feud with the family of a Muslim soldier who was killed serving in the US military in Iraq.

The rare apology came after a shake-up was announced in his campaign as Mr Trump trails against Democrat rival Hillary Clinton in the polls.

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