(WATCH) Antifa Members Charged For Violent Attacks On Pro-Trump Supporters (VIDEO)
A total of seven people, all of whom were described as self-identified anti-fascists, were charged on Monday in connection with eight alleged attacks that occurred in January during a “Patriot March” organized by supporters of then-President Donald Trump in San Diego.
They were among a group of people who were arrested Thursday in raids by police officers and sheriff’s deputies across Southern California and were arraigned Monday in San Diego Superior Court. A criminal complaint states that the defendants “are self-identified to be affiliated with Anti-fascists or Antifa,” and that they began organizing themselves a week before the pro-Trump protest, with one group beginning in San Diego and the other in Los Angeles.
This is considered to be one of the first instances in which conspiracy charges — in this case, conspiracy to commit riot — were brought against Antifa members.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, “Antifa” is a “decentralized network of far-left militants who oppose what they believe to be fascist, racist, or otherwise right-wing extremists,” and whose adherents “frequently blend anarchist and communist views”. Anti-fascists often do not avoid confrontations, but rather employ what they refer to as “direct action” to face the institutions, groups, and individuals that they consider to be their political adversaries.
“By liking and sharing” a Jan. 2 social media post calling for a counterprotest against the pro-Trump demonstration, the defendants accused Monday, “in essence agreeing to take part in the ‘direct action.’ Others agreed by showing up in Pacific Beach on January 9th, 2021 and participating in the violence”, according to the prosecutors. Others consented, according to prosecutors, by showing up in Pacific Beach on January 9th, 2021, and partaking in the “violence” mentioned in the complaint, according to the lawsuit.
They are accused of using pepper spray, flag poles, sticks, and other items to attack the pro-Trump gathering on the streets and boardwalk near Crystal Pier on Jan. 9, according to police.
Several more altercations between the counter-protestors and others at the Boardwalk.
The counter-protestors shout “Proud Boy Killer,” as several people are chased out of the area. pic.twitter.com/UzczqlREtP
— Sean Carmitchel (@ACatWithNews) January 10, 2021
In the days following the Jan. 6 protest at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., demonstrators brandished placards and flags with slogans such as “Stop the Steal,” “Trump 2020,” and other similar statements.
There are several similarities between the attacks recounted in the complaint and occurrences that have been captured on film and distributed online, such as a video of an anti-fascist counterprotester pepper-spraying a dog and its owner.
One of the defendants, Jeremy Jonathan White, 39, is accused of committing the crime, according to prosecutors. White remained in jail on Monday instead of a $200,000 bond. White is facing allegations of conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon, use of tear gas that was not in self-defense, and animal cruelty.
A video taken by a Los Angeles-based filmmaker shows a nearly two-minute-long counter-protest that included the use of pepper spray, a wooden folding chair hurled through the air, sticks, punches, and kicks from counter-protesters. In the complaint, prosecutors described another similar attack in detail.
These individuals were arraigned on Monday in the presence of the District Attorney’s Office: White; Luis Francisco Mora, 30; Joseph Austin Gaskins, 21; Faraz Martin Talab, 27; Bryan Rivera, 21; Brian Lightfoot, 25; and Jesse Merel Cannon, 31.
Among those charged are Alexander Akridge-Jacobs, 31; Christian Martinez, 23; and Samuel Howard Ogden, 24.
According to records from the District Attorney’s Office and the county Sheriff’s Department, an arrest warrant for Erich Louis Yach, 37, has been issued for $250,000.
