Bibb DA issues warning before Donald Trump Macon rally: 'Violence will not be tolerated'

Bibb County District Attorney David Cooke issued a warning Monday to people planning to attend the Monday night Donald Trump campaign rally.

"Violence is not part of the democratic exchange of ideas and violence will not be tolerated," he said at a morning news conference.

Cooke mentioned the assault of a protester by attendees at a Nov. 21 Birmingham rally and Trump's comments that maybe the protestor should have been roughed up.

According to media reports, the protester interrupted the rally, shouting "Black lives matter" and a fight broke out.

"As chief law enforcement officer for the community, I wanted to make sure that what's happened at previous events doesn't happen here," Cooke said. "There's been an escalation of violence at more than one event and the candidate himself has essentially endorsed it.

"I want to make it clear that we're not going to allow that here. If someone does commit unlawful violence at one of these events, we are going to prosecute it," he said.

After meeting with the United States Secret Service, FBI, GBI, Georgia State Patrol and Bibb County Sheriff's Office to discuss security arrangements, Cooke said he was asked to convey a request to attendees not to bring bags to the rally.

"In the interests of public safety, it's best for anyone who plans to attend to leave their bags at home," he said.

To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398 or find her on Twitter@awomackmacon.

This story was originally published November 30, 2015 at 12:04 PM with the headline "Bibb DA issues warning before Donald Trump Macon rally: 'Violence will not be tolerated' ."