Role of extremist groups at California lockdown protests raises alarms
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - On Saturday afternoon, Pastor John DeBow watched with pride as his daughter defied social distancing edicts at the state Capitol by giving free haircuts to some of the people from across California who gathered again to protest remaining restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus.
He was unaware that a few yards away, a contingent of Proud Boys, an alt-right organization, had set up a tent attached to the stage. Some members were walking through the crowd in camouflage tactical vests and their trademark black-and-yellow Fred Perry polo shirts.
But the Napa religious leader, who has taken to online preaching and plans to continue to honor the state's ban on in-person church services, said he was unbothered by their presence, though they have been deemed an extremist
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