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Grand Dragon Quigg and unnamed Antifa struggle over flag/weapon. Picture from LA Times.
Will Quigg, Grand Dragon of the West Coast KKK, had a really rough week. First off he got all butt-hurt by the snarky Weekly referring to his retrograde gang as “Klukkers,” and cancelled his promised cover-story interview with Gustavo. Then, last Saturday, he and his little contingent really got the shit kicked out of them by angry “Antifa” [anti-fascist] protesters, and had to crawl away in defeat. While the responsible less-than-half of me decries unprovoked violence and cherishes the first amendment right to whatever vile speech you have bubbling up inside you, I couldn’t help but think “Now they know how civil rights workers visiting Alabama in the 60’s felt” and “He’s lucky he didn’t end up like John Lewis or, worse, Reverend James Reeb.”
Ridiculous, yeah, comparing klukkers to civil rights pioneers, but that’s how these supremely aggrieved misfits see themselves. To only a more exaggerated degree than a VAST chunk of white “Christian” men, they firmly believe that THEY are the big Victims in modern America. So, like the inveterate dipshits they are, they carry on the banner of a murderous, torturing paramilitary group founded to terrorize the minorities it considered a threat at the time – mostly black folks, Jews, and their sympathizers – a group that briefly held sway in Anaheim a century ago. And they thought it was a swell idea to revisit their old stomping ground which is now majority-minority. What did they expect if not a beat-down?
Later, after warding off attackers with the sharp end of an American flag and having his life saved by a Jewish counterprotester, Quigg stumbled around Pearson Park with his ribs kicked in, and groaned his intentions to whoever made this video:
“This is a White Christian nation, and we get all these Illegal Aliens over here, sellin’ drugs, gettin’ on welfare, havin’ more babies to get more money, then sendin’ that money back to Mexico, and not puttin’ it back into the US economy.”
Well, sounds pretty close to the “message” of Republican presidential frontrunner Donald J Drumpf – what’s the need for getting all paramilitary about it, especially if you’re not gonna sport those wicked hoods and capes? Quigg went on to opine that whites are NOT better than blacks or latinos, “just different;” decreed that legal immigration is fine, and denied having anything to do with David Duke. (He also told Brian Levin, the Jewish professor who saved him from a worse beating, that Hitler was a civil rights hero and the Holocaust never happened.)
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Two days later (last night) OC’s Sob Sister Brigade, led by Human Relations’ Rusty Kennedy and called to arms with a badly spelled press release, held a “Peace Walk and Community Candlelight Vigil” where they would “take a stand against hate in Anaheim” and “denounce KKK violence.” Religious leaders, politicians of both parties, OCCORD figures, Anaheim police brass, and dozens of nice folks who recoil at unpleasantness – in short everyone who WASN’T there when the Klan was – gathered to pray, preach, and sing “We Shall Overcome.” Gabriel San Roman paints a memorable portrait of these pillars of the community drowning out the real protesters, the young locals forbidden from speaking because “Now is not the time.”
But, I hate to point out one little problem – the message of last night’s march didn’t really make any sense. To call this “KKK violence” is a real over-simplification. I don’t mean to defend the Klan at all when I point out that it was the anti-racist protesters who initiated the fisticuffs, and were kicking Klan ass from the moment they got out of their SUV, until one Klukker named Chuck Donner pulled out a knife and stabbed three of them and the cops finally showed up – and Donner was judged to have acted in self-defense, and released after a day. Something’s just wrong when the basic message of a march bears little relation to the actual events that precipitated it.
Who were these Antifas anyway? Of the seven arrested for assault with a deadly weapon or “elder abuse,” only one came from Anaheim – black 20-year old Marquis Turner, who appears to be innocent and can be seen on video trying to separate combatants. The rest all came over from LA County to fight the Klan. (UPDATE – As I write on Tuesday night, all but three of the arrested Antifas have now been released, but may be re-arrested.)
Still, wait – Klansman Donner was allowed a self-defense justification for stabbing three protesters, putting one – Armando Campos – into critical condition (he’s now had two surgeries, and one of the nerves going to his heart was severed.) These Antifa protesters feel that what they did was also in self-defense, given the very dangerous nature of the Klan’s “speech.” As Damion Ramirez wrote today:
“Violence is the ultimate expression of hopelessness. When there is no hope left, the primal solution becomes one of two options, fight or flight. The historical violence of a group like the KKK, the fact that they have shed blood in this country in the name of hate, does not qualify their philosophy as free speech. It is literally terrorism. What happened to our comrades in Anaheim (founded, funded and governed by the KKK til the people took their baby away), when confronted with the reality of a racial hate group setting up shop in the park they call home, could have only ended one of two ways. Only one of them was honorable. The honorable reaction to terror is resistance, violent or non-violent. Honor and the law aren’t always on the same side.”
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Accused assailant Marquis Turner, who witnesses say was actually pulling combatants apart and trying to keep the peace.
The real screw-ups Saturday were the Anaheim police. They knew this rally was going to happen. Quigg had asked for security, they told him they’d have to pay for that, and he declined. But the police’s job is to keep the peace. The Klan was variously expected at 10, at 10:30, or at 1:30; they ended up driving up around 11:30. But in any case the police claim that they had undercover officers there all along. How did it take them so long to stop the mayhem? If it had been a planned rally against police violence, as happens so often in that town, they would have had snipers on the roof, swat teams at the ready.
And NO, Cunningham, when we complain that the police are not doing their job that DOESN’T contradict our criticism of their militarization, their profiling, their trigger-happiness, and their secrecy.
I just have to add, it sure must have felt great – especially if you’re a black guy – a black guy whose great-grandparents may very well have been lynched, burned, beaten, terrorized, their leaders assassinated, their attempts to vote quashed, by the KKK and the white supremacist establishment it helped prop up for a century – it sure must have felt great to BEAT UP A KLANSMAN.
I got whiplashed about a dozen times reading that article. Was the author writing from the perspective of a vigilante or a constitutionalist? Beats me. My only advice would be pick a side and stick with it. I’ve never witnessed an author successfully reconcile two polar opposite values.
I don’t wish violence on anyone other than those who actively perpetuate violence. I support civilization. The KKK is an awful organization. Nevertheless when we cheer on thugs who beat other people for the way they think while peaceably assembled and exercising their constitutional rights we’re really no better than the KKK ourselves. At least that’s my opinion FWIW.
I agree with the author about the failure of the police. I suspect it was intentional. When the cops pick and choose who they protect in our society and who gets thrown to the wolves – they’re in violation of the constitution that they took an oath to protect. In a just society that would be career ender. But if you haven’t noticed we don’t live in a just society any longer.
I agree with some of your reaction. Although one can argue that the KKK, regardless of its current strength, and White Supremacists groups, actively perpetuate violence. Having said that, I condemn the violence that took place at the park. On a larger scale, you may understand the concerns and fears about the Trump’s divisive goals. Not actually disavowing Duke’s , or pretending that he didn’t know who he is, was appalling.
Vern, the cheap shot you took against the Monday evening vigil is disappointing.
There has been a consistent effort of the “anti-police” groups, which was part of the alternative march/vigil, to make their issue the central one in the city. To make far reaching changes, including the police culture, we need to change the political power. Rather than uniting us against the power structure of the city, calling the demonstrators a “sob brigade’ keep us divided.
Agitators are always trying to lead Trump into a trap. Always trying to bring him down. And after each attempt his poll numbers just go higher.
No idea how Rubio will show his face in public after Trump beats him in his home state of Florida. How humiliating would that be?
We should all condemn violence. It should only be reserved for those who actively perpetrate it on others. Those KKK’ers had no intention to fight. They were provoked into it. When people chase you down and kick you – what’s a man supposed to do? DId you watch the video? Sorry, I just can’t promote beating people for their thoughts. I expect that behavior from knuckle draggers.
Agitators like Mitt Romney and Christie Whitman… Trump should heed your advice on not promoting beating people for their thoughts, as he has threatened demonstrators protesting his rallies.
No one has a right to infiltrate an official political event and intentionally disrupt the featured speaker. It’ s uncivilized. Trump does not tell the security to beat them. He tells them to remove the uncivilized and unwelcomed guests – which they do.
It’s Trump’s event. He has the right to maintain order and remove those whose only purpose is to agitate and disrupt and interfere with 99% of the crowd who came to listen to the speaker.
It’s called civilization.
In the words of an agitator:
” Mr. Trump is directing our anger for less than noble purposes. He creates scapegoats of Muslims and Mexican immigrants, he calls for the use of torture and for killing the innocent children and family members of terrorists. He cheers assaults on protesters. He applauds the prospect of twisting the Constitution to limit first amendment freedom of the press. This is the very brand of anger that has led other nations into the abyss.”
Did you expect an agitator to compliment Trump?
Of Trump, Rubio and Cruz, Trump is the best choice.
If you want more of the same – vote for Hillary, Cruz or Rubio. All establishment politicians who can’t be trusted.
You might as well vote for Bush II or Obama again.
Between a rancid banana, a rabid raccoon with a knife, and Donald Trump, Donald Trump is by far the worst choice.
If you want more of the same, as in not starting WWIII, vote for anyone but Trump.
When Rusty Kennedy actually puts his ass on the line I’ll have a modicum of respect for him. But he won’t. He’ll just keep pulling down his double salary and show up for the post-event party and chalk up more hate crimes justifying his existence.
where was he on saturday when this event was widely publicized?
Of course not.
What about this statement in the LA Times :
“Kennedy said he doubted there would be a Klan return to Anaheim in the near future.
“I think they got scared to death,” he said. “They’re going to be wary of any repeat.”
The culture training he provided to the APD is finally having an effect…..
Are spears legal to open carry?
yes, so long as they are open carry.
http://www.tulare-kings-attorney.com/Blog/2012/December/Knife-Carry-Laws-in-California.aspx
Despite the KKK and the John Birch Society, Anaheim has been a city of brave people, like this gentleman featured today in The Guardian:
” Delmer Berg, the last known American survivor who fought fascists in 1930s Spain, has died in northern California. He was 100 years old….
…Born in Anaheim on 20 December 1915, Berg spent part of his childhood on a farm near Manteca. Later, he lived in Modesto and was the only white member of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.”
Sorry Vern, I am working on the follow up, I got new info that changed some of my perspective. If y’all thought Vern was confusing, I am going to make it worse. There was NO right or wrong in this one. I know nothing of the Antifas, in fact I admit I had not heard the word before this recent nightmare, but I know of the other group that was mixing it up with these racist assholes, and while I deplore the violence they committed (and seemed to have showed up looking for) I do understand WHY they could be angry enough to take a swing at some white supremacist numb-nuts. I support what the group did Monday night, as a FIRST STEP toward coming together to find solutions for the growing hatred bubbling in our community, and I did attend. But I also recognize the political manipulation that took place during the event, with people not remotely involved in the issue getting microphone time, while the kids who were dead center got shoved aside by a group sing-a-long. If Monday night was “not time” then WHEN WILL be the right time to find out exactly what these kids are dealing with day in and day out that has them coiled like rattlesnakes, ready to strike. There is an awful lot of underlying tension, and one cannot mistake the FEAR, and we better find out what the Hell is going on with these poor kids, or we just keep moving from blow-up to peace event to blow-up, without FIXING what is VERY VERY BROKEN.
Vern you are wrong to say nobody at the candlelight vigil was around during the KKK event, I was there for both, wanted to do what I could Saturday, but when i saw trouble was seriously brewing I ran home to get the dogs out of the way (corgis hate racist assholes, apparently they taste terrible) and as we were trying to get back the KKK rolled in, earlier than their 1:30 expected time and far later than the 10:30 possible time. And I can tell you there were NO visible cops. My post is taking too long to write because I was running down info, but also trying to line up the wide assortment of pics and video and my own pics to show who did what and when and see if I could get timing on how long it took APD to show up for work. I respect our men and woman in the department, they have a miserable job to do, but DAMMIT that was a serious Keystone Kops episode Saturday! Quezada did this big song and dance last night at Council defending the department to Council, and Quezada was man enough to take my verbal ass-whooping in the lobby as well, for letting Hell break loose in my neighborhood.
Yes there were undercover officers, I have to say Anaheim must have the WORST undercover cops on earth, Richard and i were picking them out easily. What was the point of having them there if they failed to alert squad cars to show up and deal with the young people who tied on bandanas and starting playing with sticks an hour before KKK rolled in? Quezada said they didn’t know where the KKK would appear. Let’s see, there was a white event tent set up by the tennis courts/playground on Cypress, do you think that MIGHT be there for them? How many events were scheduled for Pearson Park? People who don’t have a permit or scheduled reservation for space will stake out an area and STAY with it. If an event tent is unattended, someone clearly believes they have a right to have it there, ya think it MIGHT be the guys who NOTIFIED APD and City of their event?
Quezada also didn’t NEED to know where the KKK was going to be. As I pointed out to him, if young people cover their faces and start roughing it up and looking for trouble, I don’t really CARE where the KKK is, I expect law enforcement to be watching the KIDS, no matter what day it is, this is a PUBLIC PARK with children running around, and a crowd clearly looking to start shit. Where is the APD obligation to monitor that situation for public safety, regardless of their refusal to “provide private security” for the KKK as they claim the KKK requested while refusing to pay.
APD is not responsible for the stupidity of the young people who showed up looking for a fight, nor are they responsible for the 6 aging morons looking to recall their glory days when their reign of terror meant something and they were not irrelevant dinosaurs. But APD is very much responsible for the safety of the public who were using the public park Saturday, unaware an event was to take place, because nobody had roped off or otherwise separated the public from the event and its almost certain conflict.
BTW Donner didn’t get all 3, one of the stabbings appears to have been Quigg in Cypress Street with the flagpole.
Like I said, I have a lot more to say about the events, both Saturday, trying to lay it out step by step, and Monday’s follow up event that MIGHT be a good launching point to show our commitment to doing something about the underlying problems in Anaheim, but under no circumstances did Monday CHANGE any of the circumstances that led to the confrontation Saturday. Yeah, like I said, it is very confusing, both sides were wrong, and APD was the most wrong because I expect the KKK to be jerks and I expect young hood kids looking for trouble to find it but I expect the taxpayer funded professionals of the APD to be PROFESSIONALS and provide LAW ENFORCEMENT support, not comic relief. Vern I will send the piece when it is done, hopefully soon.
Nothing less than shameful dereliction of duty by the APD. There should have been an overt presence other than undercover. Someone in APD needs to get their ass handed to them over this.
Yeah, start holding your breath for that.
Shivas, at Tuesday Council the only thing said was Mayor asked City Attorney if OK for Chief to give update because it was not on Agenda for report and discussion, and CA agreed. This let the Chief tap dance around reality, but then NOBODY asked for it to be put on a future Agenda FOR discussion! So I guess we are “done.” I a furious. But as a citizen, I don’t count.
“Someone in APD needs to get their ass handed to them over this.”
You’re dreaming. The brass are probably laughing about it down at the local watering hole. There’s a world of difference between what they say at council meetings and what they say away from the public’s eye and ears. The former is all for show. Let’s all come to that mutual understanding. Democrats, Republican, and Independents commoners unite. There are some things that should cross all party boundaries.
My pals Jordan and LoGal suggested that I get these guys out of Anaheim and have them come down and rally at Larry’s Great Park. We’re all really concerned about these Chinese immigrants moving in down here and illegally registering to vote. We’ll show that pesky Gang Chen what a real gang is all about.
Mr. Stalker, will you be providing mattresses in case there’s a sleepover?
A radio interview with Brian Levin , “the Jewish man …. joins us to describe what took place at the Klan rally where he saved the life of the “Grand Dragon” of the Loyal White Knights of California from angry protesters who attacked a group of Klansman ”
http://ianmasters.com/content/february-29-jewish-man-who-saved-life-ku-klux-klansman-
http://ianmasters.com/
Gabriel interviews the stabbing victim who was in critical condition and now is partially healed.
http://www.ocweekly.com/news/tom-bibiyan-asks-why-anaheim-police-freed-the-klansman-who-stabbed-him-7085694
Spoiler alert: he wasn’t attacking anyone, and Donner should not have been let go on a self-defense justification for stabbing this guy.