Santa Rosa man among protesters arrested in violent Berkeley clash

A Santa Rosa man was among 13 people arrested Sunday during violent clashes in Berkeley between supporters of President Donald Trump and counterprotesters, Berkeley police said.

Sean Hines, 20, faced charges of resisting arrest and violations of the city’s municipal code after the chaotic event that pitted an estimated 4,000 people denouncing Trump and white-supremacist groups against about 24 Trump supporters.

Video of the melee that drew police in riot gear showed black-clad antifa members hitting and chasing Joey Gibson, the leader of the conservative Patriot Prayer group, after he showed up at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park. The right-wing leader had earlier canceled a Saturday event planned for San Francisco’s Crissy Field.

Berkeley police said six people were injured and two taken to local hospitals. One officer was injured and several officers were struck with paint.

Others arrested Sunday were mostly from Oakland and Berkeley and were booked on a variety of charges including assault with a deadly weapon.

Hines’ role was not immediately clear. His Facebook pages identified him as an antifa activist and former student at Mesa High School in Santa Rosa.

On Facebook, he referred to the recent death of a protester in Charlottesville, Virginia, as tragic but said it would help mobilize people against fascism.

“Every time we bleed we grow stronger,” said the post.

“This is the philosophy of martyrdom.”

Hines was being held in the Santa Rita jail Monday, with bail set at $5,146.

An arraignment hearing was scheduled for today, according to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.