Posted on 08/30/2017 9:19:51 AM PDT by Impala64ssa
Mayor of Berkeley Jesse Arreguin on Monday said it is time to confront the violent extremism on the left by treating black-clad Antifa protesters as a gang.
A large number of masked Antifa activists were seen jumping the barriers at a largely peaceful demonstration in Berkeley’s Martin Luther King Civic Center Park on Sunday.
Some began attacking Trump supporters at the rally.
“I think we should classify them as a gang,” said Arreguin. “They come dressed in uniforms. They have weapons, almost like a militia and I think we need to think about that in terms of our law enforcement approach.”
Arreguin said that while he does not support the far right, it was time to draw the line on the left as well, especially on the black-clad activists who showed up in force and took over both the protests and the park, and played a part in Sunday’s violent clashes.
“I think we are going to have to think ‘big picture’ about what is the strategy for how we are going to deal with these violent elements on the left as well,” said the mayor.
The mayor said it was also time for the non-violent protesters to take a stand.
“We also need to hold accountable and encourage people not to associate with these extremists because it empowers them and gives them cover,” said Arreguin.
On Monday, protest organizers defended Antifa’s presence.
“White supremacists and fascists are not welcome. And if the state is not going to protect us — and if they do not — then we are going to protect ourselves and welcome those who stand with us,” said Sara Kershner with the National Lawyers Guild.
KPIX 5 news crews observed that most of the conservative demonstrators in the park were Trump supporters who repeatedly denounced Nazis and racists.
And while it didn’t look good, the mayor also praised Berkeley police for holding back and ceding the park to the anarchists when the group jumped the barriers.
“Black Bloc was trying to provoke the police,” said Arreguin. “I think some of the more conservative protesters had already left or had been escorted out.”
When asked what he would say to a Trump supporter who was chased down the street, the mayor replied, “It’s unacceptable. Anyone who was injured… it’s completely unacceptable and we are going to be looking at video and identifying people.”
In the wake of Charlottesville and Sunday’s troubles in Berkeley, the mayor also called on UC Berkeley to call off next month’s Free Speech Week featuring Milo Yiannopoulos.
It was an appearance by Yiannopoulos in February that triggered a riot in Sproul Plaza on campus.
“I believe that is the right thing to do,” said Arreguin. “And if they don’t do that, then they need to work with the city and potentially assist the city through resources to be able to adequately police what we know is going to be a large protest that will spill out onto the city streets.”
I am wondering if now Antifa will disappear for the next 14 months before 2018 election.
Public statements from some Dems indicate Antifa antics have become a PR liability.
We will see how tightly the Antifa dog is held on a Democrat leash.
The problem sir is not Antifa, it’s your unwillingness to allow your police officers to confront them with force.
We hear all about "anti-government right wing militias" in the media all the time, but since Oklahoma City it would be difficult to pin any violent criminal act on any such groups. In contrast, BLM and Antifa thugs seem to riot and vandalize every day now all across America, and the recent spate of cop killings has no doubt been inspired by Antifa and BLM propaganda.
Berkeley Mayor & Nancy Pelosi are distancing themselves from Antifa.
Those NOTdistancing themselves - Paul Ryan, Gary Cohn, John McCain, Jeff Flake, Mitt Romney
They are a criminal organization and all linked together.
Gang? Why not cut to the chase, they are a terrorist organization. No different than Islamic terrorists, MS-13, and others.
April 21, 2017 Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin is a member of the anti-fascist Facebook group, By Any Means Necessary, which orchestrated the riots that occurred ahead of a scheduled lecture by Milo Yiannopoulos.
What’s with the turnaround?
How can it possibly be that the Mayor of Bezerkly has a single bad word for the anarchists? Is that a pig I just saw fly past my window?
As for Nazis and Klan members....*genuine* members of both groups are just as filthy and despicable as are the anarchists and,thus,deserve just as much criticism.
But I thought Jesse was a “charter member?”
Becoming public what little, scrawny cowardly turds they are, and will wish them all the best behind the scenes
I am wondering if now Antifa will disappear for the next 14 months before 2018 election.
Public statements from some Dems indicate Antifa antics have become a PR liability.
We will see how tightly the Antifa dog is held on a Democrat leash.
Yep. I saw this coming a few weeks ago. Antifa rioting and race baiting do not play in flyover country. It’s all about 2018 right now and the Dems are terrified of losing 5-7 Senate seats. MO, WV, MT, etc. Those places are 80%-90% white. Those folks are not interesting in identity politics and leftist rioting.
“A gang” What a joke. They are a terr5orist organization like “the moslem brotherhood” To hell with a “gang” Where is Jeff Sessions on this terrorist organization operating in our country?
When a lion or tiger eats human flesh it will continue to crave the flesh. The best way to stop it is to put down the cat as fast as possible. Especially for those humans that may hold the leash of the tiger.
Maybe the mayor of Berkeley heard about the lawsuit in San Jose. The San Jose mayor told the police to stand down and allow Trump supporters to get beat up. Maybe there are some big settlements coming.
When this left wing POS mayor makes an announcement like this! There has to be some very concrete data, about to appear showing Antifa is composed of seditious and very dangerous criminal thugs.
He turned his back on the vile and violent acts Antifa did during their anti Milo protest.
Then, thanks to the internet, photos taken by people on our side, showing the vile actions of Antifa with zero police interference showed up. Those photos went nation and world wide. The liberal mediots could not hide the Antifa crimes anymore.
Antifa is a subversive anti-American organization which needs to be investigated thoroughly.
Their goal is the overthrow of a legitimately elected President and Pro-American policies.
“Berkeley Mayor: We Should Classify Antifa ‘As A Gang’”
Or as a terrorist organization?
Formally recognize AntiFa as a terrorist organization
Created by M.A. on August 17, 2017
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/formally-recognize-antifa-terrorist-organization-0
“322,567 signed”
It’s still active. Sign it!
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