The Patriot’s Day Rally on April 15, 2017 was advertised as a “free speech” event, according to the Facebook page. The event was hosted by Rich Black who also organized the “March 4 Trump” rally in early March.
The rally was held at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park, and began with free speech and Trump supporters facing off against anti-Trump supporters and “anti-fascist” protesters. Berkeley police acted as a human barrier between both sides, but that did little to keep them apart. Anti-fascist protesters marched into the park chanting while Trump supporters donned in army gear and helmets took their stance in the park.
Police guarded the entrances of the park, checking backpacks and confiscating knives, signs on poles, and other things considered to be a weapon, according to CBS Local. By the end of the day, 20 arrests had been made for assault with a deadly weapon, battery, and violation of the Berkeley Municipal Code.
Despite heavy police presence, violence quickly erupted throughout the park. Anti-Trump supporters and white supremacists clashed, using flash bangs, helmets, and sticks as weapons against one another. Berkeley police remained on the edge of the park as chaos ensued. Tariq Nasheed, a social commentator and radio host, tweeted footage of white supremacist and leader of “alt-right” Identity Evropa Nathan Domingo punching a female protester in the face.
I’ve covered four protests over the course of four months. The Patriot’s Day Rally was by far the most violent. Below is footage I captured at the rally. Welcome to Trump’s America:
Breanna Reeves 