At least 12 arrested during opposing Trump rallies in Berkeley

Anti-fascists vs. Alt-right conflict during free speech event turns violent

ABC 7 NEWS

BERKELEY, Calif. – Police say at least 12 have been arrested after violence broke out Saturday between groups of supporters and detractors of President Donald Trump holding rallies in downtown Berkeley.

About 200 people were at Berkeley's Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park when several people started pushing each other and hitting each other with sticks.

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Dozens of police officers in riot gear were standing nearby and quickly arrested one man. Others were arrested as several fist fights broke out.

Demonstrators have left the park and are walking on Berkeley streets while police closely follow them.

The rally follows a March 4 confrontation planned by several of the same groups that left several people injured and led to arrests.

In February, protesters threw rocks, broke windows and set fires outside the UC Berkeley's student union building, where then-Breitbart News editor and provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos was set to speak. His presentation was cancelled.

Street fights everywhere in Berkeley. This is so nuts. pic.twitter.com/SZoc0MdxyE

— Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) April 15, 2017

Skirmishes between alt-right and antifa continue at Berkeley. pic.twitter.com/m5oVB87zQB

— Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) April 15, 2017

Demonstrators graffiti walls of Berkeley Community Theatre #berkrally pic.twitter.com/Q12i8WCm3T

— Harini Shyamsundar (@hshyamsundar) April 15, 2017

Firecrackers, bottles, cans and other projectiles thrown from both sides of #PatriotsDay protest in Berkeley pic.twitter.com/M07O4XvQNW

— Mike Kohn (@MikeCKohn) April 15, 2017