(Photo: Mary Altaffer, AP)
There were fistfights and arrests on the streets of Berkeley, Calif., Saturday after clashing protesters scuffled repeatedly during a march in support of President Trump.
The Berkeley march was part of a nationwide effort as thousands of Trump supporters convened near New York's Trump Tower, at the Washington Monument and in dozens of other cities around the country in what organizers billed as "March 4 Trump" demonstrations on behalf of the new president.
The rallies also intended to show unity in the face of what organizers call "a seditious fringe" aiming to sabotage Trump's vision for the country.
According to the organizer's website, rallies were scheduled in some 50 cities, including Nashville, Phoenix, Boston, Denver, Miami, and St. Paul, and even Berkeley, Calif. In several cities, the rallies were met by counter-demonstrations and some arrests.
In Berkeley, videos of clashing protesters and counter-protesters emerged on Twitter.
Matthai Chakko, a spokesperson for the city of Berkeley, said there were 10 arrests, included five for battery, four for assault with a deadly weapon (including one with possession of a dagger) and one for resisting arrest. Seven people were evaluated for medical injuries, but "none needed nor wanted to go to the hospital," Chakko said in a statement.
Among the items confiscated today by Berkeley police included metal pipes, bats, “2x4s”, and pieces of wood. A group with bricks was detained, and their bricks confiscated.
In New York, a couple hundred supporters gathered near the president's Manhattan home, chanting "U-S-A." One held a sign reading: "I am not a Democrat anymore." Another read: "Yes he is our president."
In Columbus, a rally at the Ohio Statehouse turned into a clash of words when Trump protesters shouted, "No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA" over the supporters' "U-S-A" chants.
In Florida, near Mar-a-Lago, people on both sides exchanged profanity, the
Palm Beach Post reported. Trump’s motorcade, heading back from a golf outing, briefly stopped so he could wave at supporters.
In Nashville, more than 1,000 people turned out for a Spirit of America rally to support the president at Legislative Plaza where two arrests were reported.
"We are all Americans, we need to come together," said Richard Saunders of Robertson County, a Trump supporter holding a sign that read "stop calling me a racist: You don't even know me."
"Anyone who disagrees with you, they throw this word around. Accusing someone of being a racist does not make them a racist."
"If the intent is not peaceful this is not the event for you," said Mark Skoda on the stage.
One anti-Trump protester was arrested for disorderly conduct for allegedly "attempting to incite a riot," according to Lt. Bill Miller of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The individual arrested was not identified by Miller.
The other arrest was for theft as an individual reportedly tried to steal two Trump shirts, Miller said.
A group of protesters gathered at the bottom of the plaza amid considerable police presence. Officers stopped a few attempts by some protesters to push their way into the pro-Trump rally, according to co-organizer Steve Gill.
In Phoenix, police said some 300 people turned out for the three-hour rally that included several state lawmakers. About a dozen counter-protesters were also on hand.
Lesa Antone, 48, was one of the rally organizers, along with March 4 Trump, Spirit of America and Riders USA. She wore a red T-shirt reading, "I voted for Trump. You're welcome." She said the goal of the event was to encourage the nation to unite behind the president.
In St. Paul, Minn., hundreds of supporters and counter-demonstrators turned out at the Minnesota State Capitol. Chanting reverberated through the Capitol rotunda during the dueling protests. There were some minor scuffles, but they were quickly diffused by other protesters and police.
Six people were arrested from the counter-protester group, according to the
Star-Tribune .
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