Amid hundreds of protests scheduled for today and into next week, the one in Berkeley seems to be going the worst.
Trump backers and members of the so-called alt-right movement were holding a “free speech” rally at the [MLK Civic Center] park, while opponents of the movement, calling themselves anti-fascists, headed to the same spot at about 10 a.m.
Expecting trouble, riot police were on the scene...but could not prevent horrible things from happening.
“There continues to be a number of large fights, some property damage and numerous projectiles being thrown, including fireworks,” Berkeley police said in a statement issued at around 2 p.m. Saturday.
At several different times, loud explosions were heard in the crowd, immediately followed by fist fights in the crowd. Some people emerged holding their faces after the explosions.
The article does not indicate which side was throwing fireworks.
Protesters on each side held signs in support of their cause. Anti-Trump demonstrators had signs saying “No! Pussy-Grabbing! No! Patriarchy! No! Fascist USA! Drive out Trump-Pence regime!” and “Fascisct scum your time is done.” Right-wing groups held Trump campaign signs and posters that read “Free speech,” among others. Photos circulated on social media showed some demonstrators making Nazi salutes.
Surely you see the irony there, right? The right-wing “free speech” protestors got mad at the free speech exercised by the “anti-fascist” protestors. The police were trying to confiscate as many weapons (?!?) as they could, but clearly some got through. Given the nature of this recommended diary, I certainly hope this isn’t the start of a trend. I know we are angry, but if we were the ones instigating this violence, it’s only going to encourage the other side to be violent.