Donald Trump Fundraiser in Lawrenceville Draws Protesters

Lawrenceville, NJ --Protesters who both oppose and support Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump were mostly peaceful and engaged in calm political debates during Trump’s visit to Lawrenceville for a fundraiser for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie Thursday night, Planet Princeton reports.

About 500 people showed up to protest Trump’s visit, which was designed to help Christie pay off some of his $286,982 debt.

The fundraiser was at the Lawrenceville National Guard Armory, while protesters gathered across the street at Central Park. The protest was organized by school teacher Martha Friend.

Representatives from local labor unions attended the protest, and criticized Trump for his opposition to a minimum wage increase, according to the report.

Inside the Armory, Trump spoke about how the next president will select three Supreme Court Justices, criticized Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and touted his plan for border security, according to the Princeton Packet.

Those attending the fundraiser were not deterred by the protests, telling the paper Trump’s “outsider” candidacy appeals to them. However, one supporter did say he wanted to see Trump act more presidential.

Trump also revisited a tweet he sent out earlier in the day, blaming a downed EgyptAir plane on terrorism and saying "you're 100 percent wrong" if you don't, according to NBC.

The event was invitation only and cost $200 to attend. It was Trump’s first visit to New Jersey since he hit the campaign trail, and comes ahead of Primary Day in New Jersey, scheduled for June 7.

As of Friday morning, Trump was the only candidate left in the Republican field, and had 1,161 of the 1,237 delegates needed to clinch the party’s nomination.