WASHINGTON: A Donald Trump’s rally at a New Orleans airport hangar was repeatedly interrupted by more than two dozen protesters, including many from the Black Lives Matter movement.

Trump was in Louisiana to rally voters ahead of the state’s GOP presidential primary on Saturday.

But the event was overshadowed by the protesters, some of whom stood clustered, holding onto each other to resist being removed by police. At points, Trump appeared visibly annoyed by the interruptions. “Stupid people, stupid,” he said. “They don’t get it ... they don’t understand what’s happening.”

Trump’s campaign manager was spotted personally assisting police as they escorted protesters out. Earlier, a sherwani-clad man was escorted out of a Trump rally in Michigan for shouting “All Muslims are not terrorists. All Mexicans are not rapists.”

Separately, Ben Carson has ended his White House bid and is declining to endorse any candidate for the Republican nomination, though he said he has “talked to all of them this week.”

Speaking to a gathering of conservative activists in suburban Maryland, the retired neurosurgeon said the United States needs “trickle-down ethics.” He said the ideal presidential candidate is ethical and accomplished, has clear policies and treats others well. He said whoever can check all of those boxes would be a “great leader.”

Carson reiterated that he is leaving the campaign trail, something he announced on his Facebook page the day after Super Tuesday contests.

The Conservative Political Action Conference crowd gave him an adoring standing ovation. He said there are “a lot of people who love me, they just won’t vote for me.”

Carson said he will now be working on a project to encourage religious values voters to participate in elections.