On Saturday, pro-police protesters in Fort Collins, Colorado reportedly beat several Antifa activists after the far-left group members allegedly went after a wheelchair-bound veteran.
The veteran in the wheelchair was carrying an American flag as several dozen pro-police protesters walked alongside him. Collectively, the pro-police groups appeared to force the far-left activists out of the neighborhood.
Antifa assaulted someone in a wheelchair. That’s what set off the beat down from residents. Police were on the scene to arrest the commies. https://t.co/LhqHFztjV2
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 9, 2020
Reports seem to indicate the pro-police protesters were protecting the wheelchair-bound veteran from Antifa attacks
A number of witnesses on the pro-police side said that the Antifa members went after the man in the wheelchair, saying that it was the radicals who sparked the ensuing fight.
Several pro-police protesters said time and again throughout the video that there was a kid’s birthday party in the area, and implied that the Antifa agitators had disturbed celebration.
At one point in the video, an unnamed and unidentifiable man told the Antifa activists that “as soon as you guys step away from the f***ing houses, we’re going to leave.”
“Antifa commie scum” get their asses handed to them in Colorado by local residents. https://t.co/CQzxlnlxbB
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 9, 2020
‘You guys came to the wrong the city, boys and girls’
The man who shot the video also made comments, saying “So, we are currently marching the Antifa commie bas****s out of the neighborhood because nobody wants Antifa in the neighborhood. Nobody wants them here, so we’re marching them out.”
“F***ing communist scum,” someone else shouted.
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After these exchanges caught on video, a fight broke out as pro-police forces expelled the far-left activists out of the neighborhood.
The man who recorded the video exclaimed, using a bullhorn,“You guys came to the wrong the city, boys and girls.”
“Everybody keep your hands off your weapons,” one man yelled. “Keep punching each other in the face, just don’t shoot anybody.”
“Keep punching each other in the face—just don’t shoot anybody”
Right-wingers brawled w/black bloc at a “Back the Blue” rally in Fort Collins, Colo. on Saturday. They fought in a nearby drain ditch. 3 were arrested & booked. Vid by Ciara Wilson. #antifa pic.twitter.com/ES8boX2DYF
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) August 10, 2020
Police arrive on the scene
When police finally arrived, some far-left activists scuffled with the officers and were subsequently arrested.
A Fort Collins Police Services spokesperson said that a number people had been arrested over “physical disturbances.”
“We respect everyone’s right to peacefully assemble to voice their concerns,” the spokesperson said. “For the safety of our community, acts of violence, destruction of property, and other unlawful behavior will not be tolerated.”
The police department also posted a video statement via social media.
“Truly supporting a cause means representing its values,” the PD spokesman said. “Committing crimes is not a way to support police. We stand for safety, period. We want all of our community members to feel safe here in Fort Collins.”
“Truly supporting a cause means representing its values. Committing crimes is not a way to support police. We stand for safety, period. We want all of our community members to feel safe here in Fort Collins.” Info about yesterday's protest: https://t.co/wmtJ2EGTY2 pic.twitter.com/gGj3drb6d2
— Fort Collins Police (@FCPolice) August 9, 2020