At least three Revolutionary Communist Party supporters were detained outside the White House after burning two American flags on the Fourth of July.
The activists, opposing President Trump and calling for a “world without America,” were met by a large counterprotest.
The Secret Service detained flag-burning activist Gregory “Joey” Johnson and at least two allies in the aftermath. The agency says two men have been charged.
[Related: WATCH: Trump holds July Fourth celebration]
Johnson won a 1989 Supreme Court case that invalidated state laws banning flag burning. Earlier this year, he won a $225,000 settlement from Cleveland, Ohio, over his arrest for burning a flag at the 2016 Republican convention.
A man who identified himself as a veteran grabbed a half-burned flag after it ignited on Pennsylvania Avenue around 5 p.m. The second flag burned moments later and was extinguished by a uniformed officer.
Authorities closed Lafayette Park, located across from the White House, amid scuffles as the right-wing Proud Boys group counterprotested.
Joey Johnson was just arrested by the Secret Service after burning an American flag outside the White House #FourthofJuly #SaluteToAmerica pic.twitter.com/eFbRn2dlhC
— Steven Nelson (@stevennelson10) July 4, 2019
The incident occurred about an hour before Trump was scheduled to depart the White House to speak at the Lincoln Memorial as part of his “Salute to America.”
Joseph Oakman of Michigan, a member of the Proud Boys, told the Washington Examiner that about 50 members of the group were present. Many wore red “Make America Great Again” hats.
“You gay cuck, faggot,” one man associated with the group shouted at a communist activist.
“This is America,” said another. “America was always great,” a man nearby agreed.
Here is another angle of the flag burning at the White House, from a friend filming on the other side
It appears authorities may have used a fire extinguisher, but I did not personally see one #FourthofJuly #SaluteToAmerica pic.twitter.com/9DVlT7wu3Z
— Steven Nelson (@stevennelson10) July 4, 2019
Many counterprotesters thanked police. As fewer than a dozen members of the Revolutionary Communist Party prepared to leave the closed park, a robust “Trump 2020!” chant drowned them out.
“USA! USA! USA!” the larger group chanted.
Carl Dix, a Revolutionary Communist Party member, told the Washington Examiner officers asked who burned the flags before making the initial arrests. Dix said the third person detained is not a member of the party but defended the flag-burners. That person was apparently released without being charged.
In a statement, the Secret Service said two officers “received minor injuries while attempting to make arrests” and were taken to a hospital for treatment.
The Supreme Court has found flag-burning protected by the First Amendment, but the Secret Service said Johnson and the other man were arrested on different charges. One faces charges for “felony assault on a police officer and malicious burning” and the other for “obstructing a police investigation and resisting arrest.” The agency did not identify either man by name.
