(Article by Zachary Stieber republished from TheEpochTimes.com)
Thousands of Trump supporters turned out for a large march to protest against alleged election fraud. Some pro-Trump marchers also engaged in violence.
While a collection of videos showed chaos and it was difficult to discern who instigated the fights, other footage from reporters on the ground showed anti-Trump protesters assaulting pro-Trump marchers without provocation.
In at least several cases, people affiliated with Antifa or Black Lives Matter were the ones carrying out the assaults.
Trump supporters walking in downtown were assaulted by pro-Black Lives Matter supporters, the Daily Caller’s Jorge Ventura reported. One man was sucker punched by a black male from behind who was holding a sign that said “Trump/Pence Out Now!” video footage showed. The slogan was promoted by Refuse Fascism, a radical left-wing group that, according to the non-profit Influence Watch, is an offshoot of the Radical Communist Party and has been present at many Antifa events.
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Anti-President Donald Trump demonstrators carry a banner as supporters Trump participate in a “Stop the Steal” protest in Washington on Nov. 14, 2020. (Leah Millis/Reuters)[/caption]
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In another case, a white man wearing a “Trump” shirt was assaulted by people dressed in gear that’s favored by Antifa, an anarcho-communist movement that’s carried out violence across the nation in recent years.
A President Donald Trump supporter is seen after being assaulted by reported Antifa members, in Washington on Nov. 14, 2020. (Leah Millis/Reuters)[/caption]
As the assaults took place, the surrounding crowd chanted “Black Lives Matter.” They also chanted, “I didn’t see [expletive],” a chant popular with Antifa and Black Lives Matter, both of which are staunchly anti-police.
In a third situation, a Trump supporter was cut in the head by assailants, described by the Daily Caller’s Richie McGinnis as part of Antifa’s so-called black bloc.
Antifa and Black Lives Matter groups before the march urged people to support counter-protest, with some groups even planning to bus people in from other cities. Hundreds of Black Lives Matter events in the United States this year have turned violent, researchers said in September.
The Black Lives Matter Global Network didn’t respond to a request for comment. Refuse Fascism appeared to blame the violence on Trump supporters.
Antifa shields were held by people on Saturday in anti-Trump crowds that were seen assaulting women, stealing phones from pro-Trump protesters, and setting fires to Trump gear.
The anti-Trump crowds “are literally chasing Trump supporters out of Black Lives Matter plaza,” Christal Hayes of USA Today reported, adding, “Counter protesters are grabbing flags and signs from Trump supporters trying to get out of the area.” Other reporters, including independent journalist Drew Hernandez, reported that violence took place against Trump supporters in and around the plaza.
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Supporters of President Donald Trump rally at Freedom Plaza in Washington on Nov. 14, 2020. (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)[/caption]
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Anti-President Donald Trump demonstrators burn an American flag in Washington on Nov. 14, 2020. (Hannah McKay/Reuters)[/caption]
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Counter-protesters clash with a supporter of President Donald Trump as police intervene at Black Lives Matter Plaza during a rally in Washington on Nov. 14, 2020. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)[/caption]
The right-wing Proud Boys group brawled with members of Antifa after darkness fell, videos showed.
The two groups have fought in the past, including brouhahas in New York City and Portland, Oregon.
Pro-Trump people tore down Black Lives Matter signs from a building near the White House, video from independent reporter Ford Fischer showed. Police soon intervened.
Also on Saturday night, anti-Trump activists dumped water on people eating in outdoor areas and threw lit firecrackers near the diners.
The Metropolitan Police Department didn’t respond to requests for information.
Police told The Associated Press they made 21 arrests for charges including assault and weapons possession. Officers recovered eight firearms. Four officers were injured during the course of the day.
Trump later praised his supporters while criticizing Antifa.
Political commentator Savannah Hernandez, who recorded some of the videos, said during a livestream late Saturday, “I’ve never seen such a blatant attack on Trump supporters.”
Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) shared one of the clips on Twitter, writing, “The left uses violence. The right uses their voice. The difference matters. And all the DC businesses that boarded up their windows know exactly what the difference is.”
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