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Los Angeles Police Department officers and Antifa militants engaged in violent clashes on Saturday during protests sparked by the incident where a biological man, who identified as a female, was reportedly naked at a California spa in front of women and young girls in late June. There were dueling demonstrations outside the Wi Spa in Los Angeles, which escalated when police attempted to separate a protest by Antifa and transgender activists from a counter-protest by religious demonstrators, conservatives, and feminist activists.
Independent journalist Brendan Gutenschwager covered the protests and the ensuing violence, and posted video of the confrontations, which became violent at times.
(Content Warning: Graphic video):
Protesters have arrived outside the Wi Spa in Los Angeles, calling for women-only spaces after an incident where a woman claims she was exposed to male genitalia on the female side of the spa #WiSpa #LApic.twitter.com/5ewZmMoaSF— Brendan Gutenschwager (@Brendan Gutenschwager) 1626547014
The demonstrations quickly escalated after Antifa members reportedly threw "several smoke bombs and water bottles" at the opposing protesters. LAPD officers immediately took action against Antifa, and are seen hitting the agitators with batons.
Police clash with Antifa counter-protesting at the Wi Spa, after several smoke bombs & water bottles were thrown at protesters across the street #WiSpa #LosAngelespic.twitter.com/fRoXWtmAng— Brendan Gutenschwager (@Brendan Gutenschwager) 1626547174
Antifa launch a smoke bomb at police, who bat it away as they separate opposing groups outside the Wi Spa in Los Angeles #WiSpa #LApic.twitter.com/1dHQb1Kpud— Brendan Gutenschwager (@Brendan Gutenschwager) 1626547775
Police push the crowd of counter-protesters away from the Wi Spa, giving orders to leave the area after declaring an unlawful assembly #WiSpa #LosAngelespic.twitter.com/00TGQW8CYa— Brendan Gutenschwager (@Brendan Gutenschwager) 1626550501
Yells of \u201cWhy are you arresting a medic?\u201d as LAPD begin detaining people near the Wi Spa this afternoon #WiSpaProtest #LosAngelespic.twitter.com/rrAyJO9Ot5— Brendan Gutenschwager (@Brendan Gutenschwager) 1626551557
An officer fired a non-lethal munition at a woman during the skirmish.
Earlier: LAPD shoot what appears to be a rubber bullet or other non-lethal munition, striking a woman a few feet in front of them #WiSpa #LosAngelespic.twitter.com/wltZbPg76j— Brendan Gutenschwager (@Brendan Gutenschwager) 1626557410
Woman was just shot by a rubber bullet as she asked to please put down your guns\u2014pic.twitter.com/YkZUjW007l— waterspider (@waterspider) 1626545632
Investigative reporter Drew Hernandez shared a compilation video of protesters being verbally abusive toward police officers.
WI SPA LA: The SOY, LARPING and OVER THE TOP DRAMATIC THEATRICS were on overload today with ANTIFA and the SJW\u2019s in LA\n\nFull story coming soon on @RealAmVoice \n\nhttp://americasvoice.news\u00a0pic.twitter.com/7tqsNRgiDW— Drew Hernandez (@Drew Hernandez) 1626575298
In a video shared on Twitter by Post Millennial editor-at-large Andy Ngo, a protester screams at cops, "Antifa's gonna kill you, b*tch!"
\u201cAntifa\u2019s gonna kill you, bitch.\u201d\n\nAn antifa member verbally threatens to kill at the violent protest in Los Angeles.pic.twitter.com/VNMIZZiuNI— Andy Ng\u00f4 (@Andy Ng\u00f4) 1626567194
The LAPD released a statement saying that smoke bombs and other projectiles were thrown at its officers. The police department said "several dozen" people were arrested. The LAPD noted that knives, pepper spray, and a stungun were confiscated.
At a protest near Wilshire Bl & Rampart Bl, 2 groups clashed. Smoke bombs/projectiles were thrown at ofcrs & a dispersal order was issued. Several dozen people were arrested. Numerous items in violation of 55.07 LAMC were found discarded including a stungun, knives, pepper spraypic.twitter.com/exk7vvTfRm— LAPD HQ (@LAPD HQ) 1626563292
One Antifa group was reportedly made a plea on social media to raise funds to bail out "comrades" who were in jail. The @SocalAntifa Twitter account also said the LAPD "have always and will always side with fascists."
Antifa are crowdfunding bail for their comrades arrested at the riot in Los Angeles yesterday. @Twitter, @CashApp, @Venmo are the most important tools for them to raise money (\u201cmutual aid\u201d) for those accused of violent crimes.pic.twitter.com/Qt0ZqlJNwN— Andy Ng\u00f4 (@Andy Ng\u00f4) 1626589924
Pro-Antifa graffiti defaced buildings near the Wi Spa, including the Los Angeles Housing Authority.
Antifa tags on the LA Housing Authority and other buildings around the Wi Spa #LosAngeles #WiSpapic.twitter.com/G4c1m8kAZp— Brendan Gutenschwager (@Brendan Gutenschwager) 1626559848
Ominous graffiti this morning on Wiltshire at the LA housing authority, a block east of WiSpa.pic.twitter.com/1DinRifdcQ— Jeremy Lee Quinn (@Jeremy Lee Quinn) 1626561845
