Authorities say Ku Klux Klan members and counter-protesters involved a bloody melee at an Anaheim park have been released from jail without criminal charges. In the case of Saturday’s incident at Pearson Park, in which three people were stabbed, the Orange County District Attorney’s office said it needed more time to review the considerable evidence generated by the event. Barf. All of the counter-protesters are looking to sue for alleged police brutality, as one protester had his arm broken.
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Will Quigg told the Associated Press in an interview that when he contacted the Anaheim Police Department about security, he was told, “We don’t do that”. Three people were stabbed, several others were injured, and seven people face charges of assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse.
A Ku Klux Klan leader who was injured when his small group of demonstrators brawled with counter-protesters in a Southern California park this weekend says he called police beforehand asking for security and was told, “We don’t do that”.
Klan members then asked whether they could hire their own private, armed security for the event.
Police departments are facing criticism for overpolicing, chilling free speech and being heavy-handed, O’Donnell said.
A dozen people were arrested, but five, including a male juvenile were ultimately released after investigators poured over evidence, including video provided to police at the scene or posted on websites. The counter-protesters appear to have been members of various groups.
“(The counter-protesters) were so angry, they would have torn these folks limb from limb”, said Brian Levin, who directs the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino.
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Anaheim police Sgt. Daron Wyatt says about 250 to 300 people took part in the candlelight gathering, which began in Pearson Park and continued on with a march to City Hall.
