LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:
Fistfights broke out between supporters and opponents of President Trump Saturday at a weekly rally held to support the president in Beverly Hills.
About 200 pro-Trump activists gathered at Beverly Gardens Park were met by several dozen counter protesters, many of whom are supporters of Black Lives Matter.
Shouting matches led to shoving, which led to fists being thrown. In a video I shot, at least four separate brawls broke out, and one individual was sprayed with a chemical irritant.
It’s gotten very violent in Beverly Hills as multiple fights break out btw Trump supporters and opponents. Law enforcement stands by, watching pic.twitter.com/KvqrNwW837
— Josie Huang (@josie_huang) August 23, 2020
Numerous Beverly Hills police officers and L.A. Sheriff's Deputies maintained a line around the perimeter, but they did not intervene as the violence broke out.
Lt. Gene Kim of the Beverly Hills Police Department said there was one arrest.
Shiva Bagheri, a local dance instructor, said she started putting on the weekly "Freedom Rallies" at Beverly Gardens Park six weeks ago.
I'll have more on this story tomorrow.
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.