Bay Area Braces For Protests: 'Charlottesville Has Raised The Stakes'
Just two weeks after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., left one woman dead and ignited a national debate about racism, symbols of white supremacy and free speech, several alt-right groups are rallying this weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area, unnerving residents, police and politicians.
"Charlottesville has raised the stakes," says Jesse Arreguin, mayor of Berkeley, Calif. "So we are very concerned about any violence that could happen in our city."
It's no coincidence far-right groups are targeting liberal cities long known for their embrace of leftist politics, free-speech and diversity. Many on the alt-right see the West Coast's urban areas as centers of effete, out-of-touch, intolerant elitist "snowflakes."
"Talk about kicking the hornets' nest! This is sure to be a barn burner," " and. Chapman, who is popular among alt-right groups, fought protesters in Berkeley in March 4, and was and other crimes. On Friday, he was "to have no weapons of any kind â sticks, knives, pepper spray."
