California Democrat Maxine Waters has distanced herself from supporters who burned a US flag outside her office as they counter-protested a far-right militia group.
A few dozen supporters made a rebellious appearance outside the congresswoman’s Los Angeles office on Thursday to counter the expected protest by the far-right Oath Keepers group.
The flag-burning incident occurred soon after the Oath Keepers group failed to show despite vowing that it would rally against the Waters.
California Democrat Maxine Waters has distanced herself from supporters who burned a US flag outside her office in LA on Thursday as they counter-protested a far-right militia group
Supports of Waters place their fists over a burned US flag as part of a counter protest outside her office on Thursday in Los Angeles
Photos from the protest show a group stomping on the flag before circling around and cheering when it erupted into flames. The Democratic counter-protesters were heard chanting: ‘This is not the American flag, this is their flag.’
Waters issued a lengthy statement on Saturday distancing herself from the flag-burning protesters, saying they were acting to further ‘their own agenda’ and that the incident ‘overshadowed’ her calls for peaceful protests
Waters issued a lengthy statement on Saturday distancing herself from the flag-burning protesters, saying they were acting to further ‘their own agenda’ and that the incident ‘overshadowed’ her calls for peaceful protests.
‘While most of those counter-protesters remained peaceful, I have learned that there were others in attendance who were not necessary from the 43rd District, but who nevertheless participated as counter-porters not so much in support of me, but to seek press attention in furtherance of their own agendas,’ Waters said.
‘Unfortunately, this group’s actions with respect to the American flag, and their passing physical contact with other protesters, has created fodder for partisan media outlets to exploit and overshadowed the majority of counter-protests who engaged in peaceful demonstrations.
‘While I do not agree with torching the flag as a form of protest, I understand the Constitution guarantees everyone the right to this form of free expression. However, physical violence, or even the perceived threat of violence, is not an acceptable way to protest injustice today and can never be tolerated.’
The American flag that was burned had been taken from the back of a pickup truck (above) that approached the counter-protesters outside Waters’ office
South Los Angeles residents joined activist groups as well as union workers, church leaders and more for the midday demonstration. They are seen chanting during the counter protest
Signs read things such as: ‘Don’t mess with our Queen Maxine,’ ‘We support you Maxine our congresswoman’ as well as ‘Trump/Pence must go!’ and ‘Deport Trump.’
Demonstrators opposed to US president Donald Trump rally against a cancelled protest by alt-right supporters of the president in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles
The American flag that was burned had been taken from the back of a pickup truck that approached the counter-protesters outside Waters’ office.
A group of counter-protesters there to support Waters were chanting ‘black power’ and other slogans when the pickup approached.
The vehicle, occupied by two men who appeared to be white, was stopped by the crowd. Some marchers opened the doors and one grabbed the flag flying on a pole in the bed of the truck, which then sped off.
The flag was stepped on and lit on fire as someone stoked the flames.
The congresswoman, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, sparked anger among conservatives after she called on the public to ‘push back’ on administration officials spotted in public.
The Oath Keepers called Waters a ‘protest terrorist inciter’ and said members intended to ‘stand against terrorism, stand for freedom of speech and association, in support of ICE/Border Patrol as they enforce constitutional immigration laws.’
The gathering was planned for the early afternoon but police said that authorities had been informed by Oath Keepers that the demonstration had been called off.