OKLAHOMA CITY -- About 20 liberal demonstrators tried to shout down Rick Santorum while he delivered his stump speech on the steps of the state capitol building here Sunday, yelling "racist" and "fascist" at the Republican presidential candidate.

The anti-Santorum faction began chanting "Get your hate out of our state" when the candidate started his address. Standing before a microphone at the top of the steps, Santorum ignored them and continued speaking. The demonstration lasted about 15 minutes.

Santorum supporters standing near the front of the crowd tried to come to his aid by holding signs in front of the demonstrators and shouting, "We pick Rick! We pick Rick!" Some of the anti-Santorum demonstrators ripped the signs out of supporters' hands.

The crowd cheered as the demonstrators left, and Santorum finished his speech, saying at one point that the departed crowd members should get jobs instead of shouting at public events.

Santorum is spending Sunday in Oklahoma rallying support before Tuesday's Republican primary election.

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