About 100 anarchists and antifa (anti-fascist) dressed in black hoodies and bandannas attacked right-wing protesters in Berkeley’s Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park.
The group jumped over police barriers to blend into a 2,000 person crowd that marched for a "Rally Against Hate" gathering.
Once in the group, violence began.
The Washington Post reports:
A pepper-spray wielding Trump supporter was smacked to the ground with homemade shields. Another was attacked by five black-clad antifas, each windmilling kicks and punches into a man desperately trying to protect himself. A conservative group leader retreated for safety behind a line of riot police as marchers chucked water bottles, shot off pepper spray and screamed “fascist go home!”
Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín released a statement saying he applauded the people who came out to protest peacefully.
"However, the violence that small group of protesters engaged in against residents and the police, including throwing smoke bombs, is unacceptable. Fighting hate with hate does not work and only makes each side more entrenched in their ideological camps.”