BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The Beverly Hills Police Department declared an unlawful assembly Saturday after fights broke out between Trump supporters and counter-protesters.
This past weekend, the 2020 Election Day drew ever closer. This meant that both Republican and Democratic candidates and their supporters were holding rallies all over the country. Beverly Hills, California, was one place where Republican candidates planned such a rally.
The counter protest arrives to Beverly Gardens Park, where BHPD rushes in to separate the group from the crowd of Trump supporters. pic.twitter.com/8YcV51aSFZ
— Cogeian (@cogeian) October 31, 2020
The Beverly Hills Police Department was already on high alert Saturday in anticipation of protests and counter-protests. BHPD put out a news release on October 23, stating:
“Beginning on Halloween and through Election week, the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) will be on full alert throughout the residential and business districts. Additionally, other law enforcement personnel and private security companies will offer support and coordinate closely with BHPD.”
The “USA Freedom Rally” was held Saturday, October 31 and was planned to feature multiple Republican California congressional candidates. The event started out peacefully as attending supporters took to the streets of Beverly Hills. They joined to show their support of #Trump2020, of law enforcement, and of reopening cities, businesses, and schools.
Approximately 40 counter-protestors, mostly clad in black, assembled at Roxbury Park. They marched to the site of the rally, all while chanting the names of black persons shot by white officers police officers.
Protesters march down Wilshire and chant the names of victims of police brutality. pic.twitter.com/M15ouO3l7D
— Cogeian (@cogeian) October 31, 2020
Lt. Max Subin of BHPD said:
“A couple of the members got into a violent attack on a pro-Trump member. It was at that point that an unlawful assembly was declared.”
A pro-Trump protester had injuries to his face and was treated by the Beverly Hills Fire Department.
BHPD attempted to keep the Trump supporters and counter-protesters separated. Law enforcement formed a line and ordered protesters to disperse.
While businesses in Beverly Hills had boarded up Saturday in preparation for potential unrest, no businesses or buildings suffered destruction and no arrests were made.
The counter protest arrives to Beverly Gardens Park, where BHPD rushes in to separate the group from the crowd of Trump supporters. pic.twitter.com/8YcV51aSFZ
— Cogeian (@cogeian) October 31, 2020
Beverly Hills has faced criticism for how it has handled street demonstrations in the past. Since June, the city has prohibited protests in residential areas after 9 p.m.
Trump supporters often face resistance in the liberal state of California. Former Marine Tyler Johnson, who lives in the Palms neighborhood of Los Angeles, said:
“I definitely feel like a minority. It’s really nice to stand up for what you believe in a city where you oftentimes feel intimidated to wear your MAGA hat or express your political beliefs.”
Johnson said it felt good to be among his fellow Conservatives for the rally. The “USA Freedom Rally” has been taking place weekly and thousands have attended.
It’s been almost four months since Shiva Bagheri of Beverly Hills first began organizing these rallies. She said part of her desired outcome from these events was to dispel all the negative misrepresentations Trump supporters were receiving.
Bagheri is an Iranian-born single mother and dance instructor. She was a registered Democrat until 2017 but voted for Trump in 2016. Bagheri had become tired of the criticism she received for supporting Trump. She said she felt that the rallies have empowered people like her.
Bagheri said:
“They think we’re all white supremacists and that’s just ridiculous. His (Trump’s) policies made sense — they had common sense.”
She noted that by the third or fourth week the number of supporters attending kept increasing. This was partially due to a number of organizations that joined in. Last Saturday’s rally attendance was estimated between 2,500 and 3,000 supporters.
It was a melting pot of identities, many carrying signs, and wearing shirts in support of President Trump. Members of the LGBTQ, Latino, Jewish, and Vietnamese communities marched in these rallies. Some members traveled from out of state and even from out of the country to attend.
Some people chanted “Four more years” and “Biden’s laptop matters”. Mask-wearers sported “Trump-Pence” masks.
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October 29, 2020
CORONADO, CA – Homeowners in a California community are the latest targets of anti-Trump signs.
In Coronado, some discovered signs that read “Racism Lives Here,” in an all too familiar design. The signs mimicked the Trump and Pence yard signs that are popular with supporters of the President.
The Coronado News Times reported on the sudden display of hatred.
It is unclear how many people had the signs placed on their lawns or gates in the small island community, but the news outlet said that they were most commonly found in the yards of homes where Trump flags or Trump signs had been on the property.
The San Diego Union Tribune reported that at least two of the seven people who reported the signs to police had Trump signs or flags decorating their homes.
A Coronado Police Department spokesperson reportedly told the newspapers that by late afternoon on Wednesday, the dispatch center had received seven calls for service related to the sightings.
Officers responded and spoke with every person who called in. They said that they are working to collect camera footage from some of the homes to try to identify the person or people who left the signs.
Spokesperson Lea Corbin told the Coronado News Times:
“Simply placing a sign in another’s yard, may be unwanted, but is not a crime.”
Nonetheless, he said that officers would be stepping up patrols to try to monitor the situation.
NBC 7 San Diego also reported on the sudden sign switch. The local news outlet said the signs were “well-made” and “close in appearance to some Trump/Pence signs.”
It reported that instead of the candidates’ names, the phrase “Racism Lives Here” was prominent. The signs also included an updated campaign slogan.
The 2020 campaign slogan is “Keep America Great,” but the slogan on the signs reverted to President Trump’s 2016 slogan of “Make America Great Again.”
Some of those targeted told NBC 7 San Diego that they were “shocked and offended.” The outlet quotes one person as saying:
“We do not feel [Trump]’s racist in any way, shape, or form.”
On Facebook, nearly 200 people commented on an article about the strange attack posted by The Coronado News Times Wednesday.
A Facebook user by the name of Carrie Woodruff posted:
“This just speaks volumes…Trump supporters have had their signs ripped down and stolen. Yet the Biden signs are proudly displayed borderline sidewalks and no one does a thing. Hmmm same people behind the “peaceful protests.” Coexist…ya right!!”
Another woman, Bonnie Conte, commented on the post:
“Whoever condones these signs being placed is a BIG part of the problem in this country, the end!!! And to think someone took the the time and spent the money and energy to spread more hate speaks VOLUMES……..not my president my ass, they are worse than him.”
Just over 21,000 people live in Coronado, which is regarded as a high-end resort city located near San Diego.
Coronado is home to three U.S. Navy bases, including the training facility for the Navy SEALs.
Crime rates are low, by comparison. According to City-Data.com, the 2018 crime rate in Coronado was nearly four times lower than the U.S. average.
However, it appears even the “safe” city is not safe from the attacks that have plagued Trump supporters nationally and on a more frequent basis as the election nears.
In Coronado, the sudden appearance of the signs follows the alleged release of Trump supporter’s personal information on a website just days ago.
Some believe the website is designed to help people stalk and harass those who favor the President.
Law Enforcement Today reported Sunday on DonaldTrump.watch, which was reportedly launched to name any person who has donated to President Trump’s reelection campaign. LET’s story read:
“The website claims that it can identify, either by name or address, any person who has made a financial contribution to President Trump’s reelection campaign. They claim that they do this in order to identify “Americans who Give Money to Support a Racist.”
Sound familiar?
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