Via ABC7:
ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) -- Violence erupted at a Ku Klux Klan rally in Anaheim on Saturday as counter-protesters clashed with Klansmen.
Three people were stabbed, including one critically, as the KKK staged an anti-immigration rally at about 12:10 p.m., according to the Anaheim Police Department.
The rally was held at Pearson Park, and officers said as soon six Klan members arrived, they were attacked by nearly 30 counter-protesters who showed up beforehand.
According to witnesses, a KKK member stabbed a counter-protester with the decorative end of a flag pole holding a Confederate flag. Police confirmed the victim was stabbed with a flag pole, but could not confirm if the flag had an American flag or Confederate flag attached to it.
"When the Klan truck, that Klan SUV was parking and taking materials out, from my vantage point I did not see a uniformed presence at that time and my photographs and video establish that," Levin told ABC7.
Chris Barker, who identified himself as the "imperial wizard" of the Loyal White Knights of the KKK, said his members were holding a peaceful anti-immigration demonstration and acted in self-defense.
"If we're attacked, we will attack back," said Barker, who did not attend the rally and spoke by phone from North Carolina. The organization lists Pelham, North Carolina, as its headquarters.
Police said 12 people were arrested, including five Klansmen in connection with the three stabbings and seven counter-protesters suspected of attacking KKK members. Officials had originally stated 13 people were detained, but later clarified that 12 were arrested. Read the full story at ABC7.com.
Here's an interesting picture shared on Twitter...
|
