Violence erupts at pro-Trump rally in Huntington Beach
Violence erupts at pro-Trump rally in Huntington Beach
HUNTINGTON BEACH - MARCH 25, 2017
Violence erupted at a Make America Great Again rally in Huntington Beach on Saturday when an anti-Trump protester allegedly doused the female organizer of the event with pepper spray and was immediately set upon by a group of Trump supporters.
After spraying the march organizer, the man, wearing a black mask, was tackled by a group of flag-waving Trump supporters, who started punching and kicking him, according to witnesses at the scene.
The crowd then chased the man, who jumped over a fence and started running along Pacific Coast Highway, where he was detained by California Highway Patrol officers.
A handful of other counter-protesters fled the scene.
Travis Guenther, whose wife was also pepper-sprayed, said he was among those who chased the masked man and hit him with a flag that said, "Trump, Make America Great Again."
"I hit him five times with the flag over his head," said Geunther, who yelled at the man as he was detained by law enforcement officials.
"How is your head?" he asked the man.
"Were not xenophobic," Guenther said. "We're not racist. We're just proud Americans."
Jennifer Sterling of Laguna Beach, the organizer who was hit with pepper spray, seemed unfazed by the incident, which involed a small number of protesters.
"It was a quick reaction," she said. "There was about 12 of them."
Sterling said the rally was not simply for Trump but also "a patriotic rally, celebrating first responders, military veterans, vice president and president."
The noontime rally and march at Bolsa Chica State Beach drew hundreds of flag-waving supporters of President Trump.
The event was slated to run from noon to 3 p.m. and was one of about 40 affiliated events scheduled nationwide throughout the day.
Despite expected heavy foot traffic, all parts of the beach were to remain open, senior park aide Mark Riddlebarger said. He said the organizers have a permit.
Though the march bears Donald Trump's campaign slogan, and organizers elsewhere are making their support for the president quite clear, Sterling said before the march that the local gathering, though pro-Trump, would have a different focus. Participants would be wearing blue ribbons to support law enforcement and donations will be collected for veterans, she said.
"We want to wave our American flag and be patriotic," Sterling said.
California State Parks Capt. Kevin Pearsall said his department would have about three dozen officers monitoring the march, and will collaborate with Huntington Beach police in case it spills from the beach to the surrounding area.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/l...325-story.html
Rally for Trump, Law Enforcement Meets Violent Anti-Trump Protesters in California
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by SAMUEL CHI
25 Mar 2017
2,471 comments
A peaceful march to support President Donald Trump, as well as veterans, law enforcement, and first responders, was briefly interrupted by a dozen or so anti-Trump protesters Saturday in Huntington Beach, California.
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Police arrested four people after they allegedly used pepper spray on the marchers during the peaceful procession attended by about 3,000 on the beach in Orange County. According to the Los Angeles Times, the dozen or so counter-demonstrators — including one who wore a patch that said, “Only You Can Resist Racists Liars” — all refused to identify themselves, but one claimed that the group only used pepper spray after they were shoved and punched by their rivals.”
Video evidence appears to indicate otherwise:
(video within tweet can be viewed at the source link)
Immigrants☆4☆Trump @immigrant4trump
Trump Supporters Defend Themselves Against Antifa Thugs,
Antifa throws first Punch.. Gets K.O! Huntington Beach, CA
1:27 PM - 25 Mar 2017
According to the organizers of the Make America Great Again march, the event was designed to show “we love our country and we want to show gratitude to the men and women who put their own lives on the line every day.” Organizers were collecting donations during the event to benefit homeless veterans.
(another video)
Patricia Dickson @Patrici15767099
Great turnout for MAGA March, Huntington Beach, CA🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
3:27 PM - 25 Mar 2017
Capt. Kevin Pearsall of California State Parks told the L.A. Times that six people were originally detained but only four were arrested. He said three men were arrested on suspicion of illegal use of a Taser, and one woman was arrested on suspicion of assault and battery. None of their names were immediately released.
Pearsall said all of those arrested were counter-demonstrators.
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http://media.breitbart.com/media/2017/03/AP2.jpg
http://www.breitbart.com/california/...in-california/
Jessica Aguilar, anti-Trump protester, charged with battery over alleged MAGA rally a
Jessica Aguilar, anti-Trump protester, charged with battery over alleged MAGA rally assaults: Police
By Andrew Blake - The Washington Times - Saturday, June 3, 2017
A California woman was charged with two counts of misdemeanor battery Thursday for allegedly assaulting two people during a “Make America Great Again” rally earlier this year held in support of President Trump, the Orange County District Attorney's office said Friday.
Jessica Aguilar of Sacramento is accused of punching a man in the face and slapping another during a March 25 “MAGA” rally at Bolsa Chica State Beach near Huntington Beach, the district attorney’s office said Friday.
Ms. Aguilar, 20, is scheduled to be arraigned on June 20 and faces a maximum sentence of one year in county jail if convicted, the announcement said.
About 2,000 individuals attended the the pro-Trump rally as well as roughly 30 counterprotesters, according to previous reports. While the event’s organizers ultimately called the march a “success,” it was notably marred by violence after a brawl erupted between Trump supporters and protesters, resulting in police arresting at least four demonstrators, including an unidentified female counterprotester arrested on suspicion of assault and battery.
Ms. Aguilar, 20, attended the march “as a protester,” the district attorney’s office said Friday.
“Four additional filing requests were submitted to the Orange County District Attorney's Office (OCDA) in relation to the same march. Those cases were rejected because the OCDA could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt as to who started the physical altercation,” Friday’s statement said.
It was not immediately clear if Ms. Aguilar had obtained counsel, the Associated Press reported.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...charged-batte/