Southern California law enforcement girded for Inauguration Day protests, but few materialized
By Orange County on January 20, 2021
The possibility of major protests that some feared would materialize at state capitals and elsewhere around the country on Inauguration Day mostly fizzled out, with a small group of black-clad protesters showing up in Sacramento and scattered groups demonstrating across Southern California.
The FBI warned last week that gun-toting demonstrators could show up at all 50 statehouses and in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, the day of President Joe Biden’s swearing-in.
With security tightened around the country following the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol, right-wing protesters showed up in far smaller numbers than some expected.
Over the last few days, a handful of gun-toting protesters stood outside state houses in Oregon, Ohio, Michigan and Texas. None attempted to breach any of those buildings.
Several Los Angeles-area law enforcement agencies on Tuesday promised to be out in force on Inauguration Day, and warned any violence would be met with a swift response. None of that appeared to be necessary on Wednesday.
“It’s been pretty quiet,” said Officer William Cooper, an LAPD spokesman.
Three events scheduled for the downtown L.A. area met little police response. A small group f Black Lives Matter protesters showed up near City Hall, and a car rally was expected to drive around MacArthur Park by the afternoon.
About 20 people supporting Trump showed up in Cerritos and demonstrated for a few hours on Wednesday. They received both jeers and cheers in about equal numbers, but there were no counter protesters or scuffles. The only tense moment was when someone driving by threw a cup of water at the group.
“Sometimes people drive by and give us the finger,” said Kendel Montera, a Trump supporter at the demonstration. “That’s OK, it’s America.”
Another two dozen or so protesters falsely claiming Trump won the election and Biden cheated showed up near the Duck Pond in Temecula on Wednesday.
“We are one nation under fraud,” said Billl Kezar, of Chino, wearing a tri-corner hat and carrying his small dog.
There are about two dozen people protesting at the Duck Pond in Temecula, alleging vote fraud in the presidential election. pic.twitter.com/zepTDCKnLB
Along the coast, the pro-Trump enclave of Huntington Beach also remained quiet, said Huntington Beach police Lt. Brian Smith.
Typically, crowds gather along Pacific Coast Highway in front of the pier.
“We do have additional staffing in place,” Smith said. “But we have no reports of any planned rallies or protests.”
Quan Vuong, left, joins fellow Donald Trump supporters as they wave flags on the corner of Holder Street and Katella Avenue in Cypress, CA, on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Reaction was mixed as some drivers honked in support and others yelled obscenities. One driver threw a cup of water at the rally. The rally was organized by West Orange County Republican Women Federated group. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A message to former President Donald Trump written during a rally on the corner of Holder Street and Katella Avenue in Cypress, CA, on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Reaction was mixed as some drivers honked in support and others yelled obscenities. One driver threw a cup of water at the rally. The rally was organized by West Orange County Republican Women Federated group. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bill Kezar uses a bullhorn to yell, “Donald J. Trump is the lawful president of the United States of America” as he joins fellow Donald Trump supporters as they wave flags on the corner of Holder Street and Katella Avenue in Cypress, CA, on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Reaction was mixed as some drivers honked in support and others yelled obscenities. One driver threw a cup of water at the rally. The rally was organized by West Orange County Republican Women Federated group. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Germaine Taylor, left, Liana Passanisi, center, and Quan Vuong, left, join fellow Donald Trump supporters as they wave flags on the corner of Holder Street and Katella Avenue in Cypress, CA, on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Reaction was mixed as some drivers honked in support and others yelled obscenities. One driver threw a cup of water at the rally. The rally was organized by West Orange County Republican Women Federated group. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A woman who refused to give her name citing a fear of being persecuted fro bering a conservative, dons a homemade mask as she joins fellow Donald Trump supporters as they wave flags on the corner of Holder Street and Katella Avenue in Cypress, CA, on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Reaction was mixed as some drivers honked in support and others yelled obscenities. One driver threw a cup of water at the rally. The rally was organized by West Orange County Republican Women Federated group. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kendel Montera joins fellow Donald Trump supporters as they wave flags on the corner of Holder Street and Katella Avenue in Cypress, CA, on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Reaction was mixed as some drivers honked in support and others yelled obscenities. One driver threw a cup of water at the rally. Montera said, “Sometimes people drive by and give us the finger, that’s ok, it’s America”. The rally was organized by West Orange County Republican Women Federated group. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump supporters as they wave flags on the corner of Holder Street and Katella Avenue in Cypress, CA, on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Reaction was mixed as some drivers honked in support and others yelled obscenities. One driver threw a cup of water at the rally. The rally was organized by West Orange County Republican Women Federated group. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump supporters as they wave flags on the corner of Holder Street and Katella Avenue in Cypress, CA, on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Reaction was mixed as some drivers honked in support and others yelled obscenities. One driver threw a cup of water at the rally. The rally was organized by West Orange County Republican Women Federated group. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Frances Spranger, left, and Beth Culver unfurl a Space Force flag with fellow Donald Trump supporters as they wave flags on the corner of Holder Street and Katella Avenue in Cypress, CA, on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Reaction was mixed as some drivers honked in support and others yelled obscenities. One driver threw a cup of water at the rally. The rally was organized by West Orange County Republican Women Federated group. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Scott Le joins fellow Donald Trump supporters as they wave flags on the corner of Holder Street and Katella Avenue in Cypress, CA, on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Reaction was mixed as some drivers honked in support and others yelled obscenities. One driver threw a cup of water at the rally. The rally was organized by West Orange County Republican Women Federated group. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
One man was seen collecting signatures in front of the Home Depot on Lugonia Avenue in Redlands in an attempt to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom. The man has been set up there for several days, city spokesman Carl Baker said.
Some of the larger groups that did show up on Wednesday near statehouses appeared to be left wing. In Sacramento, about 60 people marched toward California’s Capitol building on Wednesday, holding a sign that said “Abolish ICE,” and chanting their opposition to both former President Donald Trump and Biden.
Staff writer Beau Yarbrough contributed to this story.
(@LBY3) January 20, 2021
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