Hi, I am at Huntington Beach Pier where a protest against police brutality and the death of George Floyd is happening now. People holding up signs such as "end racism" and "I can& #39;t breathe"
What things are like right now. Dozens in mask gathered in a circle as a message "Peace and love" and "no justice, no peace" is played over the loudspeaker.
There is someone with a "Make America Great Again" hat and holding a microphone shouting at the protesters but protesters are urging calm.
"We are not from a third world country. Respect our rights," a black man says as he argues with the person in Make America Great Again hat.
"Nobody want to see things burn here. We live here," the man says as people clap around him. The crowd continuing to grow.
"We pay our tax. He works for us," the man says. "We are people."
A few people chanting "law and order" and the crowd of protesters chant "black lives matter" in response.
A few people chanting "law and order" and the crowd of protesters chant "black lives matter" in response.
Counterprotesters holding an American flag says "they are in our town," as if they believe the protesters aren& #39;t from the area.
Police is staying back 100 yard or so as protesters chant "George Floyd."
"You are preaching fear," "we have the right to democracy," a protester shouts at the counterprotester who talks of the events that happened at other cities this week.
I should note that I covered the big protest against the state& #39;s stay-at-home order right here in Huntingtom Beach that had 2,000+ people and people didn& #39;t come out to counter that protest.
A woman shouts with a microphone "all lives matter. This is America."
Protesters chant "racist go home."
Protesters chant "racist go home."
People asking for extra wood to board up their stores.
"Huntington Besch is a very unified town," Dean Rutherford, 51 of Huntington Beach says as he helps business owners board up Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. "We are not going to let them destroy our town." "We are not going to lay back."
People are enjoying drinks and food just a few blocks away at Avilas El Rancho as the protest grows in size.
"Let& #39;s see: Minnesota, LA, Santa Ana." "It& #39;s a smart move," said Dennis Boggeln, as workers were boarding up his Nokaoi restaurant and building. Called one person this morning to board the restaurant. "Two wrongs don& #39;t make it right." "Violent protest is not acceptable."
Going back to the protest scene now.
"I feel like the rest of the world is seeing what I have seen for the first time." Keilana Stallworth, Huntington Beach, 31 says. She, a black woman, is out with her boyfriend. "The color of my skin is the reason why people are out here right now. That& #39;s heartbreaking."
Her dad works as a police in LAPD. Huntington Beach resident. "This week has been the worst week in my life for sure." "I am taught as a kid to behave certain ways." "That& #39;s what my community is raised on."
It& #39;s her first protest ever. "We are tired of seeing people killed."
"It& #39;s horrifying to see human be so cruel," she said of the death of George Floyd.
"It& #39;s horrifying to see human be so cruel," she said of the death of George Floyd.
"My skin is white and I am using my privilege," Charity Hill, 18 of Huntington Beach said. She& #39;s white. "I am here because life is lost every single day by cops and the brutality." "I will not stay quiet when my life is lost."
"People don& #39;t talk about this. This is a chance to stand up - a chance to say we see what& #39;s wrong." "Lives are lost when they shouldn& #39;t be."
It& #39;s the first protest she have been to. "I am going to be as loudest as we can because we need to put a stop to it."
Spotted - "There& #39;s a big difference between wanting a hair cut and saving a life," a person holding up this sign tells me.
A counterprotester yelling through a megaphone to "go back to your own LA County" is drowned out
Hundreds marching across the intersection of PCH and Main.
Police are closer to the crowd now, but no efforts at crowd control yet.
The police has declared an unlawful assembly.
"I& #39;ve seen for so long injustice from the police," Jesse Kalamian, 20 of Huntington Beach says. "This is the latest straw."
Refers to Kelly Thomas who died by Fullerton Police.
Says this is the first protest where he has been active in, not just observing.
Refers to Kelly Thomas who died by Fullerton Police.
Says this is the first protest where he has been active in, not just observing.
"I hope more people are exposed to this on a daily basis," he says. The recent events "show the tide is turning."
Protesters urged to back up as police moves in.
경찰이 이 시위는 이제 불법이라고 말했습니다.
트럼프 지지자와 시위자들이 충돌한지 약 10분 훕니다.
경찰이 이 시위는 이제 불법이라고 말했습니다.
트럼프 지지자와 시위자들이 충돌한지 약 10분 훕니다.
Scene right now at Huntington Beach. Police have effectively blocked all traffic on the corner of PCH and Main.
Okay deleted my tweet about the National Guards because I should have confirmed which I hadn& #39;t. Continuing to monitor.
Protesters urging each other to go to the beach. Many are obliging.
Okay, got closer and confirmed they are the SWAT police gathered by the north of the pier. Sorry for the confusion.
I want to make this clear - Counterprotesters so far have been the ones shouting as protesters urged each other to hold back.
Police have moved across the intersection directly in front of the protesters. The crowd thinning out but not entirely cleared, still a couple hundred at the scene.
People fleeing the scene as the police moves in toward the pier.
What things are like now. A few dozen protesters taking a knee directly in front of the police by the pier.
Chant of "HB Matters" from counterprotesters followed by "Black lives matter" from the protesters. Things are calming down just a bit but the two sides are separated just by about a lane of traffic.
Caught up with Keilana, "They are antagonizing us," she said of the counterprotesters. "This is disgusting and police is allowing this. We& #39;ve been peaceful."
She said police should have controlled counterprotesters across the street as much as it has controlled protesters.
She said police should have controlled counterprotesters across the street as much as it has controlled protesters.
Alert sent to those in the area including myself declaring the protest as unlawful assembly.
"Huntington Beach Police catered to white americans once again," Dorrell Brown, Huntington Beach resident said. "White privilege prevails again when we are talking about a peaceful, lawful demonstration."
He says the protesters were intending to march toward Main Street and got blocked by the counterprotesters and police.
"Those people were protesting peacefully. It& #39;s alarming and tragic."
"Those people were protesting peacefully. It& #39;s alarming and tragic."
"When this happens, the bell has been rung," he says of the police response. "This will get bigger," he says of the protest.
Should note Brown was the one in the beginning talking with the counterprotester and making a case for why he and others are protesting.
Protesters urging each other to go to the beach again, the crowd has thinned considerably and the situation is a lot calmer now and police hasn& #39;t made a move yet.
A bit surreal to see hundreds by the beach enjoying their day less than a quarter mile from this protest.
Scene under the pier. A few dozen have gathered here now.
"We are part of the change. Make it happen. Don& #39;t let them bring you down," a man yells at the crowd of protesters under the pier. "You are beautiful just as you are."
The crowd now engaging in chanting "George Floyd."
The crowd now engaging in chanting "George Floyd."
Police pushing the crowd of protesters back. Things again remain pretty calm so far.
Someone is blasting out electronic music ad the police and protesters are in standoff.
Protesters continue to get pushed back.
Officers putting gas mask on
Hearing bullets.
At least two people detained.
More bullets.
Water bottles thrown. The crowd dispersing.
Police shooting pepper balls.
I& #39;m staying behind police line in case things go haywire.
Continuing use of pepper balls.