“No Trump, no Wall, no USA at all”

Hundreds of black-clad masked Antifa rioters descended on a park in Berkeley, California, after a “No to Marxism” rally was canceled.

A few people showed up anyway, and were viciously beaten and attacked.

Mainstream media journalists caught in the middle described the Antifa rioters arriving in battle formation armed with shields (which were specifically prohibited under published police rules) and the police appearing to stand down. Journalists who were filming were repeatedly attacked by Antifa.

The San Francisco Chronicle has a timeline of the riots. Here are a couple of the key timeline entries:

1:20 p.m. Tensions rising: Far-left demonstrators wearing black masks and body armor have joined the crowds gathered at Civic Center Park. Tensions at the park have been on the rise as police in riot gear abandoned their post along a concrete barricade within the park separating the right-wing demonstrators and the counter protesters. Police are now surrounding the perimeter of the park to deal with masses of counterprotesters who are trying to get in. 1:35 p.m. Hundreds break through: Berkeley police in riot gear stepped aside as hundreds of counterprotesters jumped the barriers around Civic Center park and flooded the place. All very peaceful. One protester said that was “too easy.” Fighting broke out and pepper-spray and tear gas filled the air as hundreds of men and women clad in black moved through the park.

Chronicle reporter Lizzie Johnson, who was on scene, tweeted what she experienced and saw, including: “The #Berkeley police have stood down. A sea of black masks as far as I can see. This is what WAS NOT supposed to happen.”

I have never seen so many members of #antifa in one place. No signs of police in the fray. "Our park!" they are chanting. #berkeley pic.twitter.com/htb4OL2Oz1 — Lizzie Johnson (@lizziejohnsonnn) August 27, 2017

Sooo this is where we are at. #berkeley pic.twitter.com/MD9w8liFaJ — Lizzie Johnson (@lizziejohnsonnn) August 27, 2017

The #Berkeley police have stood down. A sea of black masks as far as I can see. This is what WAS NOT supposed to happen. pic.twitter.com/uqsFJqPqd7 — Lizzie Johnson (@lizziejohnsonnn) August 27, 2017

"Take his camera, take his phone," they are shouting at a journalist. #berkeley pic.twitter.com/hvsQ5eXalE — Lizzie Johnson (@lizziejohnsonnn) August 27, 2017

Police have completely disappeared from #Berkeley. People getting beaten up. Red flags being waved in the air. — Lizzie Johnson (@lizziejohnsonnn) August 27, 2017

Police in #Berkeley have retreated to the station and the northern streets at Civic Center Park. — Lizzie Johnson (@lizziejohnsonnn) August 27, 2017

Video posted on YouTube also shows the rioters hunting people on surrounding streets:

(The Man in red in the video below was a reporter who tried to shield someone being attacked.)

An LA Times reporter on scene reported how Antifa seemed to move with precision, and how anyone who dissented was being accused of being a Nazi

There is a complete mob mentality here. People are randomly accusing random people of being Nazis. — James Queally (@JamesQueallyLAT) August 27, 2017

Masked protesters, claiming to be Antifa, threatening to break reporters cameras if they film them. Reminder we are on public ground. — James Queally (@JamesQueallyLAT) August 27, 2017

Organizers now asking to see my press pass as I try and interview someone being falsely accused of being a Nazi. — James Queally (@JamesQueallyLAT) August 27, 2017

Other local reporters on the scene tweeted similar images, video and information about Antifa violence:

The black bloc are here assembled with shields outside mlk park pic.twitter.com/7oI5vV6yHK — Marcus Yam (@yamphoto) August 27, 2017

Someone dives on top of another guy being beaten by Antifa, begging them to stop, fleeing behind police lines. Intra-left blows exchanged. pic.twitter.com/bz2zFEB25j — Jack Smith IV (@JackSmithIV) August 27, 2017

Initially, few national reporters were covering this story or retweeting, though in the past hour I have seen more Twitter action including from people like Jake Tapper.

Interesting how few "journalists" are tweeting or reporting on Antifa attack on journalist https://t.co/Hf3KTajipW — Legal Insurrection (@LegInsurrection) August 27, 2017

[Featured Image: Twitter video via Jack Smith]



