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Dozens arrested at right wing protest in California

Monday, 06 August 2018 2:06 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 06 August 2018 2:06 AM ]

Antifa protesters use fencing and trash cans to protect themselves from the smoke bombs shot at them and counter protesters by the police, on August 5, 2018 in downtown Berkeley, California. (AFP photos)

More than a dozen people have been arrested in the US state of California as a small group of right-wing protesters clash with hundreds of counter-protesters.

On Sunday, police in Berkeley had to arrest some 20 people, who were mostly armed, Berkeley Police Department announced.

“Even though there were many hundreds of people, many of whom came armed and hostile, there were no significant injuries to anyone in the public or to City staff,” said the department in a statement. “The lack of injuries is fortunate given that extremists threw explosives at Berkeley Police and Alameda County Sheriff’s Office mutual aid officers.”

The right –wing protesters were wearing army gear and “Make America Great Again” caps in favor of US President Donald Trump.

They were significantly outnumbered by those gathering for a counter-protest at the so-called “No To Marxism in Berkeley” demonstration.

A left-wing bookstore was also vandalized and its display was ripped down after some of its supporters shouted “America was never great.”

Other slogans by counter-protesters included “Nazi scum, we’ll shut you down, Berkeley is an immigrant town,” and “Charlottesville never again.”

Similar skirmishes were seen on Saturday Patriot Prayer's rally in downtown Portland which was met with reaction from antifa activists.

Trump has been accused of stoking racial, ethnic and religious tensions lurking within America ever since he appeared in office after his 2016 presidential victory.

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