Much concern rightfully existed prior to the Wednesday campaign rally at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, where Donald Trump spoke to an audience of about 3,000 cheering admirers. Riot police were on hand, and several protesters were taken into custody by law enforcement officials.

Trump's second major appearance in Orange County, California, in less than two months underscores a unique and even disconcerting division in this election cycle, where impassioned, if not rabid supporters of the presumptive Republican nominee for president are met with equally passionate and angry — and sometimes violent — protesters. This is not something to which most American political spectators, let alone participants, are accustomed.

Much of the animosity toward Trump is due to his often off-the-cuff, incendiary rhetoric. And the resentment is justified. What's not justified, however, is violent outbursts in retaliation, as violence only hurts the goals of those who disagree with Trump and the ideas he espouses.

In fact, when protesters with reasonable concerns over Trump's words resort to violence, it only emboldens those who support him and distracts from constructive approaches to challenge the could-be president.

One of our nation's blessings is that it protects individuals' freedom of speech and encourages the expression of diverse opinions. Allowing ourselves to be ruled by too much passion and not enough reason, and devolving to threats and violence, does a great disservice to this grand ideal.

REPRINTED FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER