Police use smoke to disperse anti-Trump protesters

Anti-Trump protesters and police clashed outside the Albuquerque convention center on Tuesday (May 24), where the presumptive Republican nominee for president was holding a rally.

The demonstrations began with protesters trying to storm the venue, calling for an end to the event. Police in riot gear were swiftly called in to block the entrance.

As the night progressed, tensions escalated with protesters throwing rocks and bottles and officers deploying smoke canisters and what appeared to be pepper spray to subdue the crowds, according to local media.

Police said they did not use tear gas, despite some reports to the contrary.

Donald Trump, a real estate mogul from New York, managed to hold his event despite the surrounding chaos, though it was disrupted several times by protesters on the inside.

New Mexico primary voters head to the polls on June 7.