No to Marxism in America

On Sunday, about 70 anti-fascist counterprotesters marched through Berkeley to protest the presence of vocal Trump supporter Amber Cummings on campus.

The “No to Marxism in America 2” rally held at Civic Center Park was full of chanted slogans and loud arguments with counterprotesters, and there was more violence outside the police-monitored park.

It’s safe to say Berkeley barely survived this past weekend. What was originally a scheduled opportunity for “alt-right” groups to spew hate and harassment became a symphonic outcry of liberal resistance dominating the pianissimo turnout of the “alt-right.” Yet the grand demonstration of “Berkeley Stands United Against Hate” was undermined by Antifa’s violent, discordant contribution to the progressive cause.

UC Berkeley’s campus — the historical home of the Free Speech Movement — has become the local site of contentions currently sweeping the country, but as various groups and ideologies enter the community, it’s important to keep in mind the distinctions between various factions and their goals.

Sunday’s rallies in Downtown Berkeley featured clashes between “alt-right” ralliers and counterprotesters, but some activists and residents still consider it a largely “peaceful” and “successful” event.

Kyle “Based Stickman” Chapman was arraigned at Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse on Friday on charges of possession of an illegal weapon in the form of a leaded stick.

The organizer of an upcoming alt-right rally in Berkeley who canceled the event for fear of violence previously sold sticks and shields with Kyle ‘Based Stickman’ Chapman, a prominent 'alt-right' member who is facing a felony charge for possession of an illegal weapon in the form of a stick.

In a statement issued to the Daily Californian on Friday, Amber Cummings, the organizer of the ‘No to Marxism in America’ rally scheduled for Aug. 27, said she does not want people to attend the event.

With only a couple days left until the scheduled alt-right rally Sunday, Berkeley has denied an event permit application from rally organizer Amber Cummings, citing an insufficient permit application.

The City of Berkeley is now advising community members to “stay away” from an alt-right “No to Marxism in America” rally scheduled in Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park on Aug. 27 and to not "create alternative events near downtown Berkeley."