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California’s Fourth of July plunges into hell as stores looted, police horses charge and fires break out
NY Post ^ | 07/05/2026 | Daniel Farr

Posted on 07/05/2026 8:58:17 AM PDT by DFG

Fourth of July descended into mayhem across Southern California as unruly crowds overwhelmed packed-out fireworks displays, looted stores, ignited fires and saw cops charge on horseback.

The worst unrest erupted in Newport Beach, where Independence Day revelers poured into Orange County, choking traffic and triggering a police response as disorder spread near the pier.

Authorities ultimately shut down businesses from the Newport Pier to Pacific Coast Highway as officers moved in to restore order.

Officers were swarmed by hundreds of people who hurled bottles and other debris at them before the crowd turned on one another and began fighting.

Mounted officers rode horses into them to clear the area so additional arrests could be made.

Video from the scene also appeared to show the aftermath of the reported looting of a Pavilions grocery store in Newport Beach, with merchandise strewn across the parking lot while groups of people lingered outside the business, laughing and joking.

It also appeared that many of those involved in the unrest were not residents of the Newport Beach area.

The holiday turned dangerous elsewhere across Southern California as firefighters battled multiple blazes and a fireworks display ended in injuries.

Multiple people were hurt in Chino after fireworks exploded too close to the ground while a large group had gathered in the street for a Fourth of July display.

Around Los Angeles, firefighters responded to multiple fires Saturday night.

More than 60 firefighters battled a commercial building fire on the 14300 block of Figueroa Street in the Harbor Gateway neighborhood after crews were dispatched at 9:49 p.m., according to the LAFD.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: US: California
KEYWORDS: blm; defundthepolice; highspeedrail; lawandorder; newportbeach; pavilions; pch
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"Officers were swarmed by hundreds of people who hurled bottles and other debris at them."

1 posted on 07/05/2026 8:58:17 AM PDT by DFG
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To: DFG

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” - Matthew 24:12


2 posted on 07/05/2026 9:03:47 AM PDT by captmar-vell
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To: DFG

Horses are valuable creatures.


3 posted on 07/05/2026 9:04:38 AM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is opinion or satire. Or both.)
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To: DFG

Mobs of uncontrolled people. And the authorities have no real way to control it.

But a thought experiment -— imagine the Democrats return to full power. Imagine that a mob of patriotic MAGA people riot in the streets against communism. Do you know how the authorities would handle crowd control? Lots and lots and lots of gunfire. I have no doubt.


4 posted on 07/05/2026 9:06:57 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (Enoch Powell warned us about Rivers of Blood. Well, I sure hope they're coming. It's the only fix.)
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To: DFG

Maybe Ca. needs more illegals.


5 posted on 07/05/2026 9:13:18 AM PDT by chopperk (,)
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To: DFG

It looks like it ended up Blacks vs Whites


6 posted on 07/05/2026 9:14:20 AM PDT by Iron Munro ("For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:)
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To: BenLurkin

Police on horseback. The Frank Rizzo equalizer to crime problems.


7 posted on 07/05/2026 9:15:08 AM PDT by blackdog (The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.)
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To: blackdog

Those arrested will find out Orange County deals with criminals very differently than LA County.


8 posted on 07/05/2026 9:17:09 AM PDT by kaktuskid
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To: BenLurkin
Horses are valuable creatures.

My father was in the NYNG calvalry before World War II. He said that the NYNG had calvalry for crowd control, since people were afraid of horses. They might punch a cop, or a mismounted guardsman, but shied away from horses. After Pearl Harbor his unit was federalized, disbanded, and he was sent to OCS at Fort Benning.

9 posted on 07/05/2026 9:17:33 AM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets ( Thorough planning and careful preparation is no substitute for wishful thinking. )
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To: DFG
This is disturbing news, of course.

But I do like a good cop charge on horseback. It’s evidence that the old days aren’t completely gone.


10 posted on 07/05/2026 9:18:39 AM PDT by Leaning Right
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To: DFG

Getting what they voted for.


11 posted on 07/05/2026 9:20:31 AM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: ClearCase_guy

I don’t either. All of these POS should be locked up, and perhaps treated the way they treated those arrested for J6.

At this point in history our side is acting as though our legal system and law enforcement are actually fair, and that justice is blind. Our nation now has a significant number of people who have no respect for American values.


12 posted on 07/05/2026 9:21:49 AM PDT by neverevergiveup
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To: DFG

There’s only one way to handle this and it requires armed citizens.


13 posted on 07/05/2026 9:22:42 AM PDT by DownInFlames (p)
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To: Lonesome in Massachussets

> the NYNG had cavalry for crowd control, since people were afraid of horses <

Dogs, too. A friend of mine worked security for a large amusement park. He once told me an interesting story.

At 10:45 PM the PA system would announce that the park was closing in 15 minutes. “Everyone please make your way to the exits.”

At 11:15 PM a second announcement was made. “We are releasing the dogs in ten minutes. Please exit the park now!”

That second announcement always did the job.
But of course there were no dogs.


14 posted on 07/05/2026 9:25:45 AM PDT by Leaning Right
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To: DFG

These are not people who live there.


15 posted on 07/05/2026 9:28:11 AM PDT by mfish13 ( )
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To: Lonesome in Massachussets

Good thing there weren’t any Mongo’s back then. I’m of course talking about Mongo of Blazing Saddles fame.


16 posted on 07/05/2026 9:30:16 AM PDT by EvilCapitalist (I wasn't expecting a kind of Spanish Inquisition.)
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To: Leaning Right

They should have broadcast barking sounds along with the anouncement, though that might have been overegging the pudding.


17 posted on 07/05/2026 9:31:25 AM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets ( Thorough planning and careful preparation is no substitute for wishful thinking. )
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To: DFG
It also appeared that many of those involved in the unrest were not residents of the Newport Beach area.

I lived in Newport Beach forty years ago. Most residents would spend the weekend at the beach, maybe bodysurfing at The Wedge, or playing beach volleyball, or on one of the public basketball courts. playing pickup There was never a rioter or riot in sight. So yes, I'm thinking some outsiders organized a flashmob with the intent of tearing up NB for the 4th of July.

18 posted on 07/05/2026 9:31:43 AM PDT by Rummyfan (Ok In anyq war between the civilized man and the savage, support lthe civilized man.👨 so t tv)
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To: DFG

“It also appeared that many of those involved in the unrest were not residents of the Newport Beach area.”

The Rent-A-Mobs were out in full force, again.


19 posted on 07/05/2026 9:36:49 AM PDT by Carriage Hill (A society grows great when old men plant trees, in whose shade they know they will never sit.)
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To: DFG

If California only have functioning government


20 posted on 07/05/2026 9:40:30 AM PDT by butlerweave (Fateh)
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