Black Students Escorted out of Trump Rally in Georgia

Black students at Valdosta State University were escorted out of a Donald Trump rally by the law enforcement right before it was scheduled to start.

According to the reports, roughly 30 students were asked to leave the private event.

"We didn't plan to do anything," Tahjila Davis, a 19-year-old mass media major, told The Des Moines Register. "They said, 'This is Trump's property; it's a private event.' But I paid my tuition to be here."

One news report claimed that Trump's campaign had specifically asked for the removal of the group of students. The campaign, however, has stated, "There is absolutely zero truth to that."

The campaign spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, added, "The campaign had no knowledge of this incident."

It is not uncommon for security officials to locate and kick out potential anti-Trump attendees. However, the secret service at these events generally do not get involved with escorting people out.

"If a group at an event protests, it does not become an issue with the United States Secret Service unless our protectee is threatened," said Kevin Dye, a spokesman for Secret Service, reported by CNN.

A secret service agent added, "We do not escort protestors (or) disruptors out of events. (It's) not a Secret Service function and (campaign) staff knows that."

Just a few hours before the students were asked to leave the rally, a secret service agent had gotten into a physical altercation with TIME photographer, Chris Morris.

Morris had tried to move out of the media pen to take a picture of #BlackLivesMatter protestors when the agent tried to contain him. The situation then escalated when Morris cursed at the agent, who then choke-slammed him to the ground.

Morris, who was detained but not officially arrested, released this statement via TIME:

"I've worked for nine years at the White House and have never had an altercation with the Secret Service. What happened today was very unfortunate and unexpected. The rules at Trump events are significantly stricter than other campaigns and make it very difficult to work as a photographer, as many others have pointed out before me. I regret my role in the confrontation, but the agent's response was disproportionate and unnecessarily violent. I hope this incident helps call attention to the challenges of press access. I am shaken, but physically I am OK. I'm heading home to rest but plan to be back on the trail for TIME soon."

The Secret Service stated that they will be investigating the situation.