Occupy Sacramento clashes with pro-white group

A mounted California Highway Patrol Officer moves a member of the Occupy movement away from a pro-white group during a demonstration in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. / AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - At least two law enforcement officers were injured Monday during a clash with members of the Occupy movement who were at the state Capitol to counter a rally by a group protesting violence by blacks against whites in South Africa.

The clash erupted in the afternoon as California Highway Patrol and Sacramento police officers were escorting about 35 members of the South Africa Project to a parking garage following their protest outside the Capitol building.

About 50 members of Occupy Oakland began throwing cans and bottles at the South Africa group and at the officers. The Occupy members then clashed with the officers as people with the pro-whites group hurried into the parking garage.

"It was the activists across the street engaging the officers," said CHP officer Sean Kennedy.

Two officers suffered minor injuries and were taken to a hospital. CHP Capt. Andy Menard said one officer who was struck in the face by an object was released from the hospital. The second officer was getting X-rays after apprehending a person suspected of throwing objects, Menard said.

The CHP arrested three Occupy members on suspicion of disobeying an officer.

The violence abated after a large contingent of law enforcement arrived at the scene, about a block from the Capitol.

The clash followed a tense afternoon during which peace officers kept the two groups separated outside the Capitol.

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Occupy protests: Month 6

Members of the South Africa Project were trying to draw attention to what they said is black-on-white violence in that country. Organizers said similar demonstrations were planned in other states and elsewhere in California.

The group was mostly male and white, some with shaved heads and prominent tattoos.

Many of the Occupy protesters, some wearing hoods or masks, said they came from the San Francisco Bay area to counter what they called a racist group affiliated with former Louisiana Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke.

Occupy protesters had been cursing at the South Africa Project rally and at officers keeping the two sides apart.

Ryan Stark, 26, who said he is part of Occupy Sacramento, said he joined the protesters challenging the South Africa Project protesters because there needed to be a showdown.

"I didn't throw anything ... but these sorts of demonstrations need to happen," he said, referring to the counter protest. "They do have the right to say what they want, but we're not going to let it fly."

The public was being kept away from the scene of the confrontation by police officers, who were not commenting to reporters. The city's light rail system was stopped through the section of downtown where the clash occurred, and commuters were not allowed to leave the area.

Earlier in the day, a 17-year-old girl with Occupy Oakland was taken to Juvenile Hall after she became combative and assaulted an officer who asked her to pick up litter, Kennedy said.

[Mike_in_USA]

"The group was mostly male and white, some with shaved heads and prominent tattoos.
Many of the Occupy protesters, some wearing hoods or masks, said they came from the San Francisco Bay area to counter what they called a racist group affiliated with former Louisiana Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke."
Good propaganda!
So much for 'free speach' and 'civil discourse'. Isn't this the same tactics used by the 'brown shirts' in Germany? Sounds familiar any way.

[antoniof123]

Is anyone else tired of all the hate.

I just don't get it you have people calling each other names who are American citezens they call the President names they call the speaker of the house names they call us Americans names and they ctry to call themselves Americans.

Maybe they will be happy some where else.

[raymailhot]

The occupy people have a history of violence and there hasn't been much of a crackdown on these activities.

Does it appear to be a protected uprising?

[ScortchDearth]

While it's true there is black on white violence occurring in South Africa right now, it's no doubt the result of the previous white rule & the racism inherent in that former system...it doesn't make it right, but it's at least understandable, to some degree.
I support the occupy movement & it's original intentions, but it was a bad move for them to start throwing garbage at any other group, regardless of that group's origination...they have the same right of protest as anyone else in America.
I'm also well aware that this may have been the actions of "agent provocateurs" of the same stripe that have already been caught infiltrating this movement in the past...the fact that they were hiding their faces is very suspicious.

[raymailhot]

The occupy people have a history of violence and there hasn't been much of a crackdown on these activities.

[train99]

Why is this a surprise about the OWS core.
They have a race agenda - the image they hate is white and male. If they are white and male themselves, so much more so to escape the self-image.
They do not want publicity about what's happened in South Africa - the world media doesn't tell us how really bad it is in South Africa.
They don't want publicity about black gangs victimizing whites or Asians right in their own cities - right in Oakland.
And on the financial front, they don't want publicity about obsessive wealth within the black entertainment, hiphop or sports industry..
This is ALL ABOUT racism and the protection of racism when it works your way.

[Molly-Pchr]

Those with no respect for others' rights are often the people exercising their rights.

[nowayobama]

This headline is very misleading. The group isn't "pro-white", it is "anti-black on white murder". However, the headline allows people to make the claim the group is a "Neo-Nazi", as the OWS crowd claims.

[debbie1120]

Here we go again

[PourpaixPourpaix]

It doesn't matter if the white group subscribes to Nazi doctrines or has made discriminatory acts in the past, if the allegations of the Occupy crowd are true. (I noticed the reporter who was there made no such observations that the group were Nazis.) If the purpose of the demonstration is to call attention to a racist event happening in the World, there's no reason to stifle it.

[Smokey75]

This story is typical fleabagger they think they have the right to select who gets the privileges of the bill of rights.

While I don't agree with what NEO nazi message I would never restrict the right to say their message.

But Fleabaggers think the only people who have rights are them. And they attack with violence anyone they disagree with. Sounds to me as a classic definition of a bigot.

[Smokey75]

by troutfishman2 February 28, 2012 1:40 PM EST
Nope, and you will never see me align with them.

Like you have aligned yourself with the neo-nazis!
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So you agree then the NACCP and Black panthers should not have hthe right to protest or march in the street?

If they do people who disagree with their message have the right to attack them with violence?

[Smokey75]

Trouti you are a joke and a waste of time!

Have a nice day!