Most counter-protesters pursue peaceful means against rightwingers after police crackdown causes organiser to call off ‘No Marxism in America’ event

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

A handful of pro-Trump protesters were chased from a park in Berkeley, California, by counter-protesters clad in black garb and masks on Sunday, after a planned “No Marxism in America” rally fizzled out amid opposition and police pressure.



Organisers called off the rally, planned for Civic Center park, after police issued strict rules including searches for banned items such as weapons, helmets and even water bottles.



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As in San Francisco on Saturday, when a planned rally was pushed out of the city by counter-protesters who threatened to use dog poo to make a venue unsuitable, hundreds of counter-protesters gathered nonetheless. Some carried signs that aimed to use humor against the racially charged invective that has marked such “free speech” rallies in cities including Berkeley.

“Viva Marx,” read signs held by protesters wearing thick, fake mustaches. “Berkeley stands with Groucho.” “Those poor fascists,” read another sign. “First they lose WWII and then Trump befriends them.”

Other protesters carried a giant rainbow with fluffy cotton clouds. Overhead, an airplane hauled a banner that read: “CA won’t tolerate hate.”

“This is, I think, the seventh rally that white supremacists have organized in our town square,” said Kim Anno, an artist who lives two blocks from the park. “They told us to ignore it. We ignored the first four rallies. Now we mean to stand up to it. We’re not just going to ignore it, because their numbers are growing.”

A small group of rightwing protesters gathered in the center of the park, regardless of the official cancellation. Three rows of barricades and dozens of police officers shielded them as, some wearing Trump campaign “Make America Great Again” caps, they conducted debates with small groups of counter-protesters.

Arthur Schaper, who was wrapped in a white and red Trump campaign flag, said: “The main reason we are here is free speech.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Patriot Prayer founder Joey Gibson, second left, is chased by counter-protesters in Berkeley. Photograph: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

Black-clad counter-protesters who chased the pro-Trump protesters also spotted and attacked with pepper spray Joey Gibson, the founder of the Patriot Prayer group who cancelled the San Francisco event on Saturday, the Associated Press reported. Police wearing riot gear set off smoke bombs to thwart the black-clad counter-protesters’ efforts, the AP said.

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In San Francisco on Saturday, Mayor Ed Lee faced criticism from rightwing groups over his decision to police their planned event so heavily. He said people who wanted to speak needed to “contribute to people’s lives rather than find ways to hurt them”.



In Berkeley, residents have been arguing for months about how best to counter rightwing protests without resorting to violence.

On Sunday, two blocks to the east to the park and at the edge of the University of California campus, thousands of residents held a peaceful protest, closing Oxford Street.

“It’s interesting that these groups chose Berkeley to come stage these protests,” said Sevgo Fernandez, leader of a local group promoting racial equality. “If their intent is to bring about violence, we have to do something.”

