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I am at a “March for Equality” on Imperial Highway in Yorba Linda. There are lots of counter protesters here who have already weighed in. Watch for a story at http://OCRegister.com"> http://OCRegister.com https://twitter.com/agappe7/status/1309656281586655233">https://twitter.com/agappe7/s...
This speaker said the protest is about community empowerment and systemic change. She said they came to Yorba Linda because “They hide in their little cubbies ... and act like nothing is happening,” which I presume to mean racism in Orange County.
A number of BLM-related groups are here. Organizers are reminding protesters to be peaceful. Some counter-protesters in advance of this March called the BLM protesters anarchists and said they are lawless. So we’ll see what happens.
This man is shouting at BLM protesters across the street: “Terrorists go home,” and “George Floyd is not a hero.”
This person calls BLM a “communist, terrorist organization.”
The counter-protesters call BLM protesters criminals, yet it is the counter-protesters who are breaking the law today by jaywalking across Imperial Highway to engage the BLM people. The police arrived to break things up.
The counter protesters are mocking the BLM protesters for seeking protection from police for the counters’ aggressive actions.
The counter protesters are blocking the street. The BLM protesters are not.
We have a face-to-face shout off, “BLM BLM” vs. “USA USA”. So far no punches.
BLM protesters now bringing in riot shields. This face off took place after counter protesters crossed Imperial Highway to engage them
Democracy, they say, is messy.
And now a little pushing and shoving.
A car just drove through a crowd. The crowd then chased after the white sedan. This person was hurt.
And the Orange County Sheriff’s Department just announced from a helicopter loudspeaker that this is an unlawful assembly and that all protesters have five minutes to leave.
This is the car that drove through the crowd. I don’t know all the circumstances.
The protesters on both sides have largely dispersed as ordered. Whether they went anywhere else, I don’t know. Imperial Highway is closed in the 18000 block.
An ambulance took away one person after being hit by a car. A second is still here injured.
An injured man is groaning in pain. He has a wrap on his right leg. It’s tried to his leg with a small American flag, maybe a scarf.
A sign of the times: Ambulance crews in tactical helmets.
I got this quote from a surprise source, counter protester Steve Scott: “One people, one country. Equality for all.” His point was that BLM protesters “say one thing and do another.” I was in the middle of asking him to elaborate when a scuffle broke out and he excused himself.
Although many protesters left, some - mostly, it appeared, counter protesters - remained. The helicopter crew put out another dispersal order about 3:30 p.m.
The intersection of Yorba Linda and Imperial is blocked.
A mix of protesters just walked west on Lemon past Main.
In additional the comments critical of BLM protesters made earlier today, counter protesters also expressed support for police and President Trump.
Reporter Eric Licas just told me this: Lt. Todd Russ said the female driver of the white sedan has been detained, unclear if she will be arrested at this point
A crowd has once again gathered in the parking lot of the city library, site of the scuffle and where the sedan struck protesters. Right now it’s peaceful, though there are some robust discussions being held.
At 4:05 p.m. the helicopter have another five-minute dispersal order. I saw a few stragglers sling their flags and banners over their shoulders and walk away.
OC sheriff is getting plenty of help. Patrol cars from Fullerton, Placentia and Anaheim PDs just rolled up.
