According to a report of the event, trouble started when a member of the Proud Boys tried to evade police and approach the counter-protesters. Then, LGBT supporters began throwing water bottles. After that, the conflict only aggravated. A firework or smoke bomb was allegedly seen and heard being discharged, which police said left a bush on fire.
Over 25 officers donning tactical gear fired pepper spray bullets at attendees of the protests, according to the report. Two were said to be injured as a result.
“They came at us with batons, they jabbed us, they hit the crap out of out us,” one counterprotester reportedly said.
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The event led to the arrest of four and three, two of whom were associated with the straight pride event, whereas the other was a part of the much larger counter-protest. Notably, none of those arrested were local to the area.
Modesto Police Department spokeswoman Sharon Bear told the Modesto Bee that the detentions were made for “failure to disperse.”
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The department reportedly could not confirm the sequence of events on Saturday but claimed that the event was an “unlawful gathering," as the straight pride rally was scheduled for noon.
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One counterprotester told the Modesto Bee that her attendance was prompted by “the increase in white supremacy and hatred in our country.” Another claimed she was wearing a concealed bulletproof vest.
The area was reportedly cleared out by 1:00 p.m. but was covered in litter from the conflict.
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It’s the fourth successive year that straight pride protesters have gathered in front of the Planned Parenthood building on McHenry Avenue, and like last year, violence quickly ensued. By 10:30 a.m., a man visiting from San Jose, with a sign “Jesus saves from hell,” preached while a mass of people across the street with rainbow signs and women’s rights banners chanted and jeered. Police officers quietly assembled on bikes as patrol cars crossed McHenry Avenue. Modesto Window Tint was the loudest thing of all, which blasted banda music from its outside speakers. “We’re neutral. We’re just window tinters, man,” said Tony Manriquez, one of the owners, after counterprotesters asked him to raise the music to drown out the preacher. As the chants got louder, Manriquez changed the song to “We Are The World,” the 1985 peace hit. The happy music didn’t last. A scuffle ensued as a Proud Boy attempted to push past the police, said a man who gave his name only as Richard. He said he watched the violence as a “straight pride” supporter but did not identify as a Proud Boy himself.
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