The recent Berkeley riots involved several pro- and anti-Trump protesters and became very similar to the dangerous protests that happened on March 4th. However, compared to the ten people arrested during the March protest, 20 were arrested during Saturday’s events, and more are expected. The arrest comes as a surprise considering Police were unseen in the area the violence occurred. A contributor to Mother Jones Shane Bauer spoke with police that were in the area but distanced themselves from the protest. However, by mid-afternoon, as the violence intensified about 250 police officers were deployed into the heart of the protest.
I tell a police officer I've been seeing people get beat up all day and they haven't been around. "Okay, and?" he says. pic.twitter.com/OuGEcvvb8R
— Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) April 15, 2017
I ask a cop why they've been hanging back as a brawl is happening half a block away in Berkeley. "I'm not at liberty to discuss my tactics." pic.twitter.com/teGEYBV1ho
— Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) April 15, 2017
The recent protests began near Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park and eventually spread larger into the streets. Those arrested in the streets are accused of assault with deadly weapons as well as other minor charges. Interestingly enough, police also arrested two people who were arrested at the March 4th protests. Coincident?
Compared to the last riot, these protests and fights resulted in no damage to the community or uninvolved people. The difference could be a result of city officials creating a one-day protest which prohibited anything from the part being used as a weapon. The consequences for breaking that rule is said to be a possible citation.
Police did find other weapons though. According to CBS San Francisco, police took sticks, dowels, and poles along with a stun gun, mace, knives and more. Police are asking for anyone with footage to release that to them, but they currently expect the current footage they have to reveal several more arrests.
What do you think about the protests again? Do you think it has anything to do with the education system teaching biased or do you just think people are becoming more violent one what they believe? Let us know below!
Credit: CBS Local – San Francisco