In what has become an eerily familiar scene in Berkeley, supporters and detractors of President Donald Trump on Saturday exchanged blows, burned flags, set off fireworks, and were arrested at heated opposing rallies. Soon the warning extended to include Shattuck Avenue and Center Street.
The police seized numerous prohibited items, including sticks and knives, according to the agency. Police estimate that the crowd swelled to between 300 and 700 people before it dissipated around 4 p.m.
"A large portion of the crowd has now moved into the street and some fights have broken out", according to Berkeley police.
In order to prevent a bloody riot, city leaders had announced that pipes, bats, bricks, rocks, glass bottles, shields, pepper spray, sticks, and other potentially unsafe items were not allowed at the park during the rallies.
Demonstrators have left the park and are walking on Berkeley streets while police closely follow them.
Berkeley has a long history of liberal activism and the University of California, Berkeley, was a center of protests in the 1960s. Pussy-Grabbing! No! Patriarchy! No!
Many Trump supporters already in MLK Civic Park with helmets and vests ahead of anticipated pro- and anti- Trump protests. "Fascist USA! Drive out Trump-Pence regime!" and "Fascisct scum your time is done".
Chapman describes himself in social media as a "proud American nationalist" and "ardent Trump supporter".
Erdogan claims narrow victory in Turkish referendum despite opposition protests
White House press secretary Sean Spicer said during his daily briefing the administration is waiting on the results of a report on the fairness of the referendum vote.
Market organizers said that while police had planned for extra safety measures, they could not guarantee safety at the event.
The March 4 Trump rally sparked melees and resulted in several injuries and arrests.
Defend the Bay, a group that advertises itself as against the self-described "alt-right", suggested protesters bring food to share, along with a mask or other covering to hide their identity from police.
A Trump supporter bleeds after being hit by a counter protester during the Patriots Day Free Speech Rally in Berkeley, California, U.S. April 15, 2017.
Popular Video People were so furious about this Pepsi ad that Pepsi pulled it after just one day.
In February, a scheduled appearance by former Breitbart News editor and provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos at UC Berkeley was canceled after protesters threw rocks, broke windows and set fires outside the student union building.
The city press release advised peaceful protesters to separate themselves from violence in order to keep themselves safe, and to prevent crimes from taking place under the cover of the crowd.
Comments