Violence broke out between groups of supporters and detractors of President Trump in Berkeley, California
BERKELEY, Calif. — Police say at least 15 people have been arrested after violence broke out Saturday between groups of supporters and detractors of President Trump holding rallies in downtown Berkeley, California.
Nearly 200 people were at Berkeley’s Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park when several people started pushing each other. Dozens of police officers in riot gear were standing nearby and quickly arrested one man.
In a statement, the Berkeley Police Department said that a large number of fights continued and that they are anticipating more arrests.
Trump supporters announced they were holding a “Patriot Day” at the park at noon. Counter-demonstrators then said they would hold a rally at the same place at 10 a.m.
A man in support of U. S. President Donald Trump (L) is being pepper spray by a group on counter-protestor during a rally in Berkeley, California in Berkeley, California, U. S., April 15, 2017.
Police put in a makeshift barrier of plastic orange poles and orange fence mesh to separate both sides, but that quickly came down as demonstrators started punching and kicking each other, while pepper spray and firecrackers were thrown to the crowd.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that after the barriers was put back in place, demonstrators shouted at each other from a distance.
“You go back to the ‘60s,” shouted a pro-Trump supporter.
“You go back to the 1400s,” someone on the opposing side shouted back.
Demonstrators have left the park and are walking on Berkeley streets while police closely follow them. The items encountered at the protest that are prohibited have included flagpoles, a knife, a stun gun, helmets and signs and flags attached to poles, CBS San Francisco reports.
The rally follows a March 4 confrontation planned by several of the same groups that left several people injured and led to arrests.
In February, protesters threw rocks, broke windows and set fires outside the UC Berkeley student union building, where then-Breitbart News editor and provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos was set to speak. His presentation was cancelled.
Demonstrators for and against U. S. President Donald Trump fight during rally in Berkeley, California in Berkeley, California, U. S., April 15, 2017.
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