Share
SAN FRANCISCO — A free speech demonstration staged by conservative activists quickly fell apart in downtown San Francisco on Saturday after several hundred counterprotesters surged the area, outnumbering and attacking those gathered, including knocking one in the mouth.
A photographer working for The Associated Press witnessed a Trump supporter being taken away in an ambulance and an injured San Francisco police officer on the ground by San Francisco’s United Nations Plaza.
Rally Called to Protest Twitter
Team Save America organized the rally to protest Twitter, which it said squelches conservative speech. Members of the group wore red “Make America Great Again” Trump campaign hats and carried pro-police “Thin Blue Line” flags and U.S. flags.
Philip Anderson, the organizer of the event, posted photos to social media of his bloody mouth with a front tooth missing and another hanging loosely. He said anti-fascist protesters attacked him “for no reason.”
Anderson took the stage at about 1 p.m. and was greeted by chants and plastic water bottles and glass bottles thrown over police barricades.
No Arrests Made
The event was canceled, although both sides lingered in the area into the afternoon.
The San Francisco Police Department said three officers suffered non life-threatening injuries when they were assaulted with pepper spray and caustic chemicals. One officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment, the department said.
No arrests were made, the department said.
Anderson called the counterprotesters hypocrites and said they are the reason why he’s voting for President Donald Trump.
“I love America, I love this country and I love free speech,” he said.
RELATED TOPICS:
Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle
14 hours ago
Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing
14 hours ago
Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents
15 hours ago
House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill
13 hours ago
Categories

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing
