What began as a peaceful protest in San Bernardino against President Donald Trump’s promise of mass deportations of undocumented immigrants turned into a violent showdown between police officers and marchers on Monday, Feb. 3.
At least five officers were injured and about the same number of protesters were arrested when officers formed a line to prevent marchers from walking onto the 215 Freeway, San Bernardino police said.
Sgt. Christopher Gray, a Police Department spokesman, said on Tuesday that he did not know the conditions of the injured officers. He said several police vehicles were vandalized, but Gray said he did not know how badly they were damaged.
The protest began around 10 a.m. at Baseline Street and Mt. Vernon Avenue.
“By approximately 8:45 p.m., a crowd of nearly 300 people began marching down the middle of Baseline Street toward the 215 Freeway with the expressed intent to block freeway traffic,” a police news release said. “Due to the imminent safety concerns for both pedestrians and motorists, officers established a skirmish line at the intersection of Baseline Street and Perris Street to prevent the crowd from accessing the freeway.”
That’s when some protesters threw rocks, bottles and fireworks, police said. Police ordered the crowd to disperse but many protesters refused to leave.
San Bernardino police called in officers from other agencies, and the crowd began to leave after officers fired tear gas and less-lethal rounds.
Police avoided a similar situation in Los Angeles, where protesters blocked the 101 Freeway on Sunday.
Those arrested Monday were booked on suspicion of committing crimes including assault with a deadly weapon and battery on a peace officer.
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