Berkeley police arrest 20, seize 'dozens of weapons' at opposing protests
By Robert Gearty | Fox News Aug 6, 2018
Berkeley Police announced the arrests on Sunday of three protesters on weapon possession charges: (left to right) Jason Wallach, 41, Kate Brenner, 69, and Kristen Edith Koster, 50. (Berkeley Police Department)
Berkeley, Calif., police arrested 20 people Sunday and confiscated "dozens of weapons" as members of so-called "alt-right" and far-left groups gathered in the city for opposing protests.
In addition to the arrests, officials said three people suffered minor injuries after a group of "extremists" threw "explosives" -- believed to be fireworks and flares -- at police and Alameda County Sheriff's officers. No members of law enforcement were hurt.
Berkeley police also said that "an extremist element among a large group" damaged 21 city vehicles, setting one on fire, and slashed their tires. The group also set fires in trash bins, which were extinguished quickly.
Two groups of alt-right protesters had announced plans for a "No to Marxism" rally at the city's Civic Center Park earlier in the week. That prompted plans for a "Sweep Out The Fascists" march and counter-rally that drew hundreds of people downtown.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that several dozen "anti-Marxist" protesters arrived at Civic Center at 12:30 p.m. At one point, the group pushed books off a table set up by a local Communist bookstore, but police and bystanders stepped in to head off any potential confrontation.
City officials said neither group had sought or obtained a permit for their respective rallies. On Friday, police issued rules prohibiting masks and items that could be used as weapons.
The police department posted photos of weapons they had seized on Facebook and Twitter. They included a hammer, rocks, wooden sticks, metal rods, and canisters of pepper spray.
“We are confiscating weapons and making arrests,” police said.
Sixteen of the arrested protesters had been identified as of Sunday evening. They included Jason Wallach, 41, and Kate Brenner, 69, both of Oakland, who were charged with possession of a banned weapon, police said. Another Oakland native, 35-year-old Andres Gonzalez, was charged with five counts of carrying a banned weapon. Jeffrey Garten, 28, of Oakland was charged with a single count of carrying a banned weapon. ..."
Arrested protesters Maria Lewis and Thomas Parker.
Arrested protesters David Chou and Freddy Martinez.
