Featured Image: AP Photo/Josh Edelson
Police in Berkeley, California deliberately allowed Antifa alt-leftists to jump barricades and attack peaceful right-wing protesters gathered in Civic Center Park on Sunday, according to numerous reports.
The Fresno Bee reports that the majority of individuals that showed up to protest the informal “No To Marxism” rally being held in the park were peaceful.
However, according to the outlet, there were more than 100 Antifa alt-leftists who also showed up to the event intent on stirring up violence and attacking the right-wing demonstrators.
Berkeley Police Chief Andrew Greenwood is quoted by The Fresno Bee as stating that he and his force made an intentional decision to allow these violent protesters to breach barriers and confront the demonstrators with no intervention.
“The potential use of force became very problematic,” Greenwood reportedly said, adding that his officers left the park entirely once the alt-leftists entered it.
The Associated Press confirms this, quoting Greenwood as stating he specifically told his officers not to actively intervene in the violence.
What happened after the alt-leftists entered the park is history.
In total, SF Gate reports that the anarchists ultimately injured six people, including a police officer.
Two of those injured reportedly had to be taken to the hospital.
Thirteen people were arrested in connection with the violence, with many of them being jailed according to SF Gate.
Of course, this isn’t the first time police officers in Berkeley have been ordered to stand by as Antifa wreaked havoc on the area.
Back in February, officials also stood by while Antifa tore the UC Berkeley campus apart. Members of the alt-leftist group hurled Molotov cocktails, set things on fire, damaged private and public property and attacked those waiting to see the man who caused the stir – Milo Yiannopoulos.
Police made but one arrest that night, letting the alt-leftists responsible for the chaos off the hook entirely.
University of California Police Department Chief Margo Bennett defended her actions, stating, “crowd control situations are different than a military exercise or an active shooter situation. It’s just a different approach and a different set of tactics that you have to use in order to not escalate the situation, in order to control it. People have a hard time understanding that. I get it.”
