More than 150 tickets issued as fights break out at Michigan State before Richard Spencer speech
Fights broke out between white supremacists and protesters Monday as anti-fascist activists, students and community members converged in and around Michigan State University to counter a speech by white nationalist Richard Spencer.
Hours before the speech began, police blocked access to the venue as protesters, including some masked antifascists, gathered outside and hundreds marched toward the venue shouting, "Nazis go home!"
As some of Spencer's supporters and people planning to attend the speech arrived on campus, masked protesters shouted obscenities at white supremacists and at police. A group of white nationalists marching down the road toward the speech venue - Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education - were blocked by protesters. Shouts turned to punches thrown at protesters, but the group wasforced by protesters away from the pavilion where Spencer later spoke.
More law enforcement officers arrived, lining both sides of the road leading into the venue, snapping cuffs on people and restoring calm.
But as others arrived to attend the speech, which was delayed past its planned 4:30 p.m. start time, a mob of protesters swarmed around them. A circle of law enforcement officers protected those wishing to go in, but two were pushed to the ground. Another man wanting to attend the event was pelted with sticks, dirt and cans by protesters.
Two were blocked from entering, despite the police escort. They bowed as they retreated, to jeers from the crowd.
The Detroit Free Press showed video of protesters screaming at police to a steady drumbeat, one kicking the bicycle of an officer, screaming, "F-ing Nazi cops!"
Hours before the speech began, police blocked access to the venue as protesters, including some masked antifascists, gathered outside and hundreds marched toward the venue shouting, "Nazis go home!"
As some of Spencer's supporters and people planning to attend the speech arrived on campus, masked protesters shouted obscenities at white supremacists and at police. A group of white nationalists marching down the road toward the speech venue - Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education - were blocked by protesters. Shouts turned to punches thrown at protesters, but the group wasforced by protesters away from the pavilion where Spencer later spoke.
More law enforcement officers arrived, lining both sides of the road leading into the venue, snapping cuffs on people and restoring calm.
But as others arrived to attend the speech, which was delayed past its planned 4:30 p.m. start time, a mob of protesters swarmed around them. A circle of law enforcement officers protected those wishing to go in, but two were pushed to the ground. Another man wanting to attend the event was pelted with sticks, dirt and cans by protesters.
Two were blocked from entering, despite the police escort. They bowed as they retreated, to jeers from the crowd.
The Detroit Free Press showed video of protesters screaming at police to a steady drumbeat, one kicking the bicycle of an officer, screaming, "F-ing Nazi cops!"
Source: latimes
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