Violence Breaks Out At Pro-Trump Rally (Photos)

A pro-Trump rally at the University of California in Berkeley, California, quickly turned violent after Trump supporters were met with counter-protestors.

According to the Washington Times, counter-protestors arrived at the March 4 Trump in Berkeley, California, and began arguing with pro-Trump protestors, triggering shouting matches and, in some cases, fist fights.

Several attendees in pro-Trump clothing were assaulted at the rally, according to the Independent Journal Review.

Some counter-protestors wore black masks as they descended on the rally at Berkeley’s Civic Center Park.

Ten arrests were made at the rally. According to the Washington Times, five arrests were made for better, four were made for assault with a deadly weapon, and one was made for resisting arrest.

A variety of weapons were confiscated from violent counter-protestors, including bats, 2×4 pieces of wood, metal pipes, bricks, and a dagger.

Some pro-Trump protestors were pepper-sprayed, including an elderly man.

Protestors also reportedly burned a Trump supporter’s sign, which read, “Free Speech.”

The March 4 Trump took place in several cities all around the country, but the Berkeley rally was one of few that turned violent. 

In Minnesota, six counter-protestors were arrested at the state capitol after fireworks and smoke bombs were set off at the rally.

In Nashville, Tennessee, just two were arrested at the rally, in a crowd of more than 1,000 people.

In the rest of the country, the rallies were mostly peaceful and took place without incident, despite counter-protestors being present.

The counter-protestors at the Berkeley rally were led by a group called By Any Means Necessary, whose mission is to “counter and defeat the Trump movement.”

“The fighting Saturday started even before the event began, with people throwing punches, swinging sticks and tossing smoke bombs. Hundreds of people filled the park, with anarchists and counter demonstrators far outnumber what rally sponsors estimated were 60 to 75 Trump supporters,” SFGate reported, according to the Washington Times.

Berkeley police say seven people were evaluated for injuries, but none needed to go to the hospital. Bay Area Rapid Transit stopped transportation during the rally, “due to a civil disturbance.”

Trump supporters in attendance say that despite the chaos, the rally was still worth it.

“It was a chaotic event but a great turn out for Trump supporters and those who support Free Speech,” one Trump supporter wrote on Facebook.

Sources: Washington Times, IJ Review / Photo Credit: Oakland Photo Vault/Twitter