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Title: [ Liberal Parade ] Riot breaks out in downtown Santa Cruz; windows broken on dozens of businesses,
Source:
San Jose Mercury News
URL Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14998618?nclick_check=1
Published: May 2, 2010
Author: Alia Wilson
Post Date: 2010-05-02 17:58:25 by WhiteSands
Keywords: liberals, arizona, immigration
Views: 2412
Comments: 9
SANTA CRUZ - A large group of protesters demonstrating at a May Day rally for worker's and immigrant rights downtown broke off into a riot vandalizing about a dozen businesses around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, police said.
Many in the group were carrying makeshift torches as they marched, breaking storefront windows and writing "anarchist graffiti" on buildings, according to Capt. Steve Clark. Many businesses sustained multiple broken windows including very large storefront windows at Urban Outfitters and The Rittenhouse building. Police believe at least 15 businesses suffered damage.
The violence was initiated from a group holding a rally at the town clock for May Day. Windows at Jamba Juice and Velvet Underground were left shattered and graffiti including anarchy signs were tagged onto buildings.
Because of the size and violent demeanor of the crowd, Santa Cruz police asked for help from all agencies in the county to break up the riot. At one point, protesters lit a fire on the porch of Caffe Pergolesi and blocked access to firefighters, officers said. Police were able to clear out the demonstrators before more damage was caused.
A large rock sat outside Verizon Wireless on the 100 block of Cooper Street, where vandals tried to break the window twice, according to Clark.
"The damage that was caused was without purpose," Clark said. "It was senseless violence that victimized a community who cannot afford to be victimized in this manner. This did nothing to add credit to whatever they believed their cause was."
One person, 24-year-old Jimi Haynes, a transient from Fresno County, was arrested for felony vandalism for damaging a window. Haynes is also wanted on a parole violation, Clark said. Police are searching for others responsible for the damage. Protesters cleared the downtown area around midnight.
"Our entire team of investigators are processing the scene of violence for evidence," Clark said. "We will be looking at video available to try to ID who's responsible."
Haynes was observed traveling with this group and breaking windows at the Dell Williams Jewelry store. Haynes broke two large display windows in the front of the store. The witnesses followed him and called police. Haynes was located by arriving Watsonville PD officers who detained Haynes, Clark said.
Haynes is on parole out of Fresno County for burglary. He has been in Santa Cruz for the past several weeks where he has established an arrest history, Clark said. Haynes admitted to participating in the rally after receiving a flyer at a local anarchist café. Haynes was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail.
Once order was restored, police detectives worked throughout the night to collect evidence and document the damage to each of the businesses, Clark said. The police department guarded exposed storefronts, and arranged for private security to watch the businesses until windows could be boarded, and responsible persons contacted.
The police department encourages anyone with information (include any photos or video footage) to make contact and report the information. The police department will be working to identify and prosecute additional individuals involved in the march and subsequent violence.
Police ask anyone with information about the incident to contact the investigations department at 420-5820.
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 3.
Obama encircles Tea Baggers at violent hate filled rally!
#3. To: WhiteSands (#1)
Obama encircles Tea Baggers at violent hate filled rally!
I guess you missed my posting of the real story, not the Breitbart fabrication that you're referring to here.
Just for you, here it is again.
By RODNEY HART Herald-Whig Staff Writer
Quincy Tea Party members wanted President Barack Obama to know they were present Wednesday afternoon during his appearance in Quincy.
About 200 people protesting Obama's policies loudly chanted "USA, USA" as his motorcade made its way out of the Oakley-Lindsay Center, then sang "Hey, hey, hey, goodbye" as the vehicle went by.
The participants were vocal but well-behaved as they stood on the north side of York Street across from the OLC.
"Having the president come is really something," organizer Steve McQueen said. "But we do not agree with all the policies of Obama and the current Congress, and we wanted to make sure he knows we are here."
The crowd carried signs with messages ranging from "Give Us Liberty Not Debt" to yellow flags saying "Don't Tread On Me."
Urged on by people with megaphones, the crowd shouted slogans, among them "Remember in November" and "You work for us."
Tea party groups protest government spending and policies infringing on personal freedoms. The Quincy Tea Party had a well-attended rally in Washington Park last fall.
"We've always been respectful and acted with dignity," McQueen said. "We are out to make our case and make it peacefully."
There were a few tense moments when the crowd moved west down York toward Third Street after the president's motorcade arrived. A Secret Service agent asked the crowd to move back across the street to the north side.
When the crowd didn't move and began singing "God Bless, America" and the national anthem, Quincy Deputy Police Chief Ron Dreyer called for members of the Mobile Field Force to walk up the street.
The officers, mainly from Metro East departments near St. Louis and dressed in full body armor, marched from the east and stood on the south side of York facing the protesters.
There was no physical contact, and the officers did not come close to the crowd, but there were catcalls and more than a few upset tea party members, including a woman who shouted, "This is communism!"
McQueen also assisted in asking people to step back to the north side of York. The crowd moved back, the officers stayed for about 15 minutes and left, and there were no other incidents.
"It's just a communication issue. We were trying to get them to move across the street," Quincy Deputy Police Chief Curt Kelty said. "We were just trying to move them back, they complied, and it was fine."
Several of the Quincy Tea Party members thanked Kelty as they left the area.
John Spake, owner of Comstock Castle, said the tea party isn't about Democrats or Republicans, but citizens concerned about national issues.
"It's strictly about issues, issues of individual freedoms and the Constitution," Spake said. "And spending our way out is not the answer to our economic crisis."
Rick Pattison of Quincy, a teacher who spent 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, said he came to the gathering because he likes the things the tea party stands for.
"I just hope he (Obama) learns something from the ordinary people here," Pattison said. "This is flyover country, but there are two sides to every issue."
Members of Quad Cities and St. Louis tea parties also made the trip. Many laughed as two men walked in front of the gathering, one of them holding a long tree branch.
"Obama's money tree," the man said.
McQueen urged those gathered to attend a Quincy Tea Party event Wednesday night at the Holiday Inn.
Scheduled speakers are former Republican governor candidate Adam Andrzejewski, 17th Congressional District GOP candidate Bobby Schilling, and Andrew Breitbart, a noted conservative blogger who will appear via video feed.
Replies to Comment # 3.
The officers, mainly from Metro East departments near St. Louis and dressed in full body armor, marched from the east and stood on the south side of York facing the protesters.
Full body armor? Hell this wasn't a fookin leftist demonstration like Santa Cruz!
End Trace Mode for Comment # 3.
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