A “straight pride” march that commenced in front of an abortion clinic clashed with a large group of LGBTQ and pro-choice protestors in Modesto, California, on Saturday.
The fourth annual straight pride event, put on by the National Straight Pride Coalition, was joined by members of the Proud Boys, the far-right group best known for playing a role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Some of the Proud Boy members in Modesto over the weekend were the same members who participated in the breach of the Capitol, according to reports.
The two groups were separated by police, but not before water bottles were thrown, bear spray was used and firecrackers were set off. Authorities fired pepper balls and bean bags into the crowd in an attempt to break up the groups and were forced to arrest three people for “failing to disperse.”
When asked to summarize the events of the day, the police department spokesperson said, “There was some fighting … so we declared it unlawful assembly, moved everybody out of the area, blocked streets and made several arrests.”
Last year, the National Straight Pride Coalition’s march ended in violence as well.
