Antifa supporters protesting an alt-right rally in Berkeley, Calif., Sunday clashed violently with white nationalists, with one right-winger reportedly pummeled to the ground by a group of protesters clad in black and wearing masks.
Anti-Trump forces — which outnumbered Trump supporters — initially assembled peacefully at the “No to Marxism in America” event held near the Martin Luther King Civic Center, bearing “Avenge Charlottesville” banners. Tensions, bubbled over as the two groups faced-off, according to multiple reports.
At one point, well-known Orange County far-right figure Johnny Benitez was swarmed by a crowd chanting, “Black Lives Matter,” the Los Angeles Times reported.
In another instance, a journalist captured video of antifa protesters beating a white nationalist with their fists and shields.
Police resorted to tear gas and rubber bullets to subdue the confrontations, the Los Angeles Times reported.
At least 10 people had been arrested, per the newspaper.
The unrest in Berkeley follows a similar protest organized to disrupt a “Patriot Prayer” rally hosted across the bay in San Francisco on Saturday.
A sea of masked protesters dressed in black are holding a banner reading “Avenge Charlottesville, protect your community.” #Berkeley pic.twitter.com/M5TgKzKNyq
— Kris Sanchez (@KrisNBC) August 27, 2017
#BREAKING: Arrests being made at flashpoints around #Berkeley. Crowds starting to surge. Police move in rapidly. #berkeleyprotests @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/7iQ8WeX7m6
— Steve Patterson (@PattersonNBC) August 27, 2017
Alt-right skinhead Johnny Benitez getting surrounded by people chanting “Black Lives Matter.” pic.twitter.com/WoQB7Rfzs8
— Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) August 27, 2017
Right wingers in Berkeley are getting mobbed by counter protesters pic.twitter.com/SRwSk6fmRL
— Blake Montgomery ? (@blakersdozen) August 27, 2017
Police stoping skirmishes as they happen in #Berkeley today between right-wing nationalists and #Counterprotestors @KPFANews pic.twitter.com/IEp6wIPQ8m
— Mike Kohn (@MikeCKohn) August 27, 2017
Antifa beat down apparent alt-righter. pic.twitter.com/WVdDJqLKmA
— Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) August 27, 2017
