President Donald Trump responded to viral videos showing apparent clashes in Pittsburgh between protesters and the public over the weekend, using Twitter to take aim at Democratic challenger Joe Biden while calling the demonstrators “anarchists” and “thugs.”

“BLM Protesters horribly harass elderly Pittsburgh diners, scaring them with loud taunts while taking their food right off their plate,” Trump wrote in a 7:20 a.m. tweet. “These Anarchists, not protesters, are Biden voters, but he has no control and nothing to say. Disgraceful. Never seen anything like it. Thugs!”

Short videos show demonstrators hitting a person carrying a bicycle and yelling at Downtown restaurant patrons. One of the protesters, however, said the cyclist provoked demonstrators with “racist rhetoric.”

“When we were on our way back to the crowd, there were people at Bakersfield [restaurant] that were yelling at us for harassing and bullying these people on the bike, even though they had just literally stood and watched what happened,” Nique Craft said. “I was not OK with those comments being made.”

....And because of weak and pathetic Democrat leadership, this thuggery is happening in other Democrat run cities and states. Must shut them down fast. Biden and his most Liberal in Senate running mate, Kamala, won’t even talk about it. They won’t utter the words, LAW & ORDER!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 8, 2020

Trump, in a follow-up tweet, continued to blame Democrats for the unrest.

“… And because of weak and pathetic Democrat leadership, this thuggery is happening in other Democrat run cities and states,” he wrote. “Must shut them down fast. Biden and his most Liberal in Senate running mate, Kamala, won’t even talk about it. They won’t utter the words, LAW & ORDER!”

Another video which appears to be taken from inside a McDonald’s restaurant shows some of the same demonstrators chanting, clapping and dancing to music while apparently waiting for their orders. Dozens more people are standing outside at the intersection of Stanwix Street and Forbes Avenue.

Craft said protesters purchased food after the restaurant manager expressed dismay that the demonstration would hurt business. The situation devolved and the video shows a couple of the protesters direct heated words and profanity at workers behind the counter. A male employee gets into a scuffle with the demonstrator who was holding the bullhorn and the situation turns tense with both sides yelling at each other.

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