Several Protesters Arrested for Blocking Arizona Highway to Trump Event

Shea Boulevard was the main highway to the campaign rally in Arizona.

ByABC News
March 19, 2016, 4:29 PM

— -- Several protesters were arrested Saturday after blocking the main road to a Donald Trump event in Fountain Hills, Arizona, police said.

A group of protesters started blocking traffic on Shea Boulevard this morning, a main entry point into Fountain Hills where GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump was scheduled to hold a campaign rally with Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

According to ABC affiliate KNXV the protesters chanted "Trump is hate" after parking their cars directly in the way of traffic.

The campaign rally started almost an hour behind schedule, with Arpaio placing the blame on the protesters in his opening remarks.

"I know we had a little problem, some demonstrators tried to disrupt --" he said, interrupted by booing from the crowd. "Because of them you had to get a little more sunshine, but we made it."

The crowd broke out in cheers when the sheriff added: "And three of them are in jail."

Maricopa County Sheriff's public information officer confirmed on Twitter that three protesters from the incident had been arrested.

Arpaio also said the protesters wouldn't faze Trump or his supporters.

"If they think they are going to intimidate you and the next president of the United States, not going to happen," he said. "Not in this town."

Protesters stand in the crowd of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump supporters as Trump speaks during a campaign rally, March 19, 2016, in Fountain Hills, Ariz.
Matt York/AP Photo

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office did not immediately return requests for comment.