ST. PAUL, Minn. — An effort to celebrate the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s presidency was thwarted by the anti-fascist group ANTIFA.
A Saturday morning rally at Minnesota’s State Capitol to support Trump and Republican initiatives was hijacked by a coalition of anti-Trump protestors led by ANTIFA.
More than 50 ANTIFA protesters gathered on the steps of the Capitol and refused to allow Trump supporters up the marble steps of the Capitol.
Protesters attacked two Trump supporters who were veterans. The first scuffle occurred on the steps of the Capitol between a Biker for Trump member and an ANTIFA protester. The unidentified Trump supporter fell down the marble steps of the Capitol. ANTIFA members then rushed down the stairs after him and one young woman proceeded to kick him in the head until police were able to break up the fight. Alpha News later learned that the the Trump supporter was on blood thinners.
Another Trump supporter was physically attacked by protesters with pepper spray in the face.
As reported earlier this week by Alpha News, anti-Trump protesters were set to interrupt the Trump rally.
“Together, Minnesotans are gathering to unite in a peaceful rally in support of President Trump and his administration to celebrate his accomplishments, and to inform the public of their next steps,” the rally’s invite read. It also listed a disclaimer, “This is a peaceful rally. Protesters may be subject to security and law enforcement as may be indicated.”
Alpha News learned that more than 500 people were scheduled to attend the original pro-Trump rally.
However, less than 75 people made it into the building. Anyone looking to enter the building had to be escorted by a state trooper.
Outside, ANTIFA members faced off with alleged white supremacists who also supported Trump. After speaking with many of those on the side of Trump, they denounced the title of white supremacist, nazi, or racist. They did show their allegiance with the alt-right movement as they wore pins and stickers depicting Pepe, a cartoon frog made popular by former Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos. When asked, those Alpha News talked to denounced Jim Crow laws and racism. However, they also clarified that they didn’t represent the other Trump supporters sparring with ANTIFA, but just represented themselves.
ANTIFA and the alt-right members spent hours sparring, trading chants and speeches attacking one another.
Some ANTIFA members were incredibly hostile towards members of the media threatening and taunting journalism. One member even attempted to steal the phone of a journalist, before police stepped in.
Alpha News counted more than 40 State Troopers outside, who created a barricade between the two groups.
“I don’t know, but I know it’s expensive,” one state trooper told Alpha News, when asked about the cost of their presence. More state troopers and capitol police were in and surrounding the Capitol building.
Around 2:30 p.m., members of the alt-right left as ANTIFA chanted “Goodbye” and “We won.”
There were no arrests reported at the time of publication.
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Preya Samsundar
Preya Samsundar was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities this Spring with a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology, with a minor in Strategic Communications. Preya has previously worked on several State Campaign Races.
