Demonstrators And Counter-Protesters Clash In La Mesa

LA MESA, CA — Police arrested at least one person as 300 demonstrators gathering Saturday at La Mesa City Hall to demand justice for women of color met with counter protesters. The largely peaceful event prompted temporary restrictions in a two-block downtown zone.

According to police, altercations between the protesters and demonstrators grew heated. A series of shouting matches turned physical at one point, leading to an arrest.

La Mesa police reported on Facebook that some marchers were at the La Mesa Civic Center area while the majority of the group was at the corner of Date and Allison avenues. At 8:30 p.m., police said about 80 protesters remained at Dale and Allison and a large group were at the Veterans of Foreign Wars building.

"Over the past hour, there were several more scattered verbal altercations between the two groups with no further arrests, police said. "Chief (Walt) Vasquez has been able to meet with organizers for the group that has been marching as well as the group at the VFW. Chief Vasquez passed along that the Police Department is here to facilitate a safe and peaceful event, and asked for everyone's cooperation.

"Several physical altercations occurred between the groups as the march passed by the VFW," police officials said. "At least one arrest has been made. No major injuries have been reported."

The "We Demand Justice For Our Women Of Color" event was promoted as a way to seek justice for Breonna Taylor, killed in March by police in Louisville, Ky., and Vanessa Guillen, a soldier at Fort Hood, in Texas, who was killed by another soldier in April, according to social media statements.

Ahead of a planned protest in the La Mesa Civic Center Saturday afternoon, the city announced it would ban the possession of items including firearms, bricks, rocks, baseball bats, sticks, glass bottles and other "implements of riot" in the area.

The protected zone is an area bounded by University Avenue, Allison and Spring Street that includes the police department, city hall and library.

La Mesa experienced a riot May 30 when a peaceful protest over police use of force turned into violent acts, including arson fires to businesses and looting.

The protest was advertised on social media as scheduled to take place at 3:30 p.m. at police headquarters, but was changed to the La Mesa Branch Library on Allison, and eventually beginning at La Mesa City Hall, also located on Allison.

New fencing and concrete barriers were erected Saturday morning around police headquarters.

Police said Sunday afternoon that several freeway on- and off-ramps on Interstate 8 and State Route 125 would be closed starting at 2:30 p.m.

According to the city, the full list of items that will be banned through 5:30 a.m. Sunday is as follows: firearms; knives and daggers; clubs; pepper spray and mace; aces and picks; ace and pick handles; explosives; slingshots; bricks; rocks; baseball bats; shields; ice picks; fireworks; tasers; bear spray; paint ball guns; aerosol paint containers; poles; sticks; dowels; boards (including when used for signs and banners); glass bottles or containers; and any other item "generally considered an 'implement of riot' that can be used as a weapon."

People who violate the order will be subject to prosecution, the city said.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Nick Garber and Paige Austin contributed to this report.