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Home » Politics » This Article

Taunted by ‘Defenders,’ 300 March in La Mesa to Demand Justice

Posted by Ken Stone on August 1, 2020 in Politics | 7380 Views
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By Ken Stone

One counterprotester was arrested as demonstrators rallied Saturday across from La Mesa City Hall, marched around a hilly residential area and demanded justice for women of color.

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With much of the civic center fenced off, the police station saw none of the clashes involving tear gas and beanbag shots police deemed necessary at a May 30 protest with a much larger crowd.

On Saturday, long lines of officers from agencies as far away as National City stood between heckling members of groups like Defend East County and boisterous but nonviolent BLM protesters. The mostly young, mask-wearing protesters were led in chants like “Don’t take the bait.”

Ryan McAdams of Jamul (left) was later arrested on battery and other charges after a clash with protesters. Here he and Kris Wyrick of Alpine (center) exchange words before march with an unidentified protester.
Ryan McAdams of Jamul (left) was later arrested on battery and other charges after a clash with protesters. Here he and Kris Wyrick of Alpine (center) exchange words before march with an unidentified protester. Photo by Chris Stone
Scores of defenders, including 20 wearing the yellow-green vests of La Mesa Civil Defense on Facebook, turned out against as many as 300 marchers.

Counterprotesters, often without masks, held American flags and “Trump 2020” banners. They had a booth near the VFW/American Legion Hall on University Avenue where they sought signatures on a petition to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Arrested was 35-year-old Ryan McAdams of Jamul on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism and probation violation. He was booked into San Diego Central Jail, with no bail allowed.

McAdams is associated with white-supremacist groups such as Bordertown Patriots and American Guard. The Guard also had a presence Saturday.

The march began at Date and Allison avenues, went south uphill on Acacia Avenue and then met an even steeper climb up quiet Vista Drive.

Story continues below

La Mesa Police Chief Walt Vasquez (right) speaks with protesters before a rally in La Mesa.
La Mesa Police Chief Walt Vasquez (right) speaks with protesters before a rally in La Mesa. Photo by Chris Stone
Protesters carried a variety of signs, many of them anti-police in the BLM march in La Mesa.
Protesters carried a variety of signs, many of them anti-police in the BLM march in La Mesa. Photo by Chris Stone
A protester rides on a van down Baltimore Avenue during a Black Lives Matter march in La Mesa.
A protester rides on a van down Baltimore Avenue during a Black Lives Matter march in La Mesa. Photo by Chris Stone
Demonstrators march down University Avenue in La Mesa during a Black Lives Matter protest.
Demonstrators march down University Avenue in La Mesa during a Black Lives Matter protest. Photo by Chris Stone
Protesters, many carrying signs, walk down University Avenue in La Mesa.
Protesters, many carrying signs, walk down University Avenue in La Mesa. Photo by Chris Stone
Protesters respond with peace signs and shouts of love toward counterprotesters in La Mesa.
Protesters respond with peace signs and shouts of love toward counterprotesters in La Mesa. Photo by Chris Stone
A member of the La Mesa Police Department surveys the scene after getting out of one of several unmarked vans.
A member of the La Mesa Police Department surveys the scene after getting out of one of several unmarked vans. Photo by Chris Stone
Members of a Facebook group called Defend East County watch from the roof of the Veterans of Foreign Wars building in La Mesa.
Members of a Facebook group called Defend East County watch from the roof of the Veterans of Foreign Wars building in La Mesa. Photo by Chris Stone
Black Lives Matter protesters gather for a rally before marching through La Mesa.
Black Lives Matter protesters gather for a rally before marching through La Mesa. Photo by Chris Stone
Counter protesters shout at protesters before sheriff's deputies line up to separate the sides.
Counterprotesters shout at protesters before sheriff’s deputies line up to separate the sides. Photo by Chris Stone
Counter protesters, some seen with knives, confronted BLM protesters in La Mesa.
Counterprotesters, some seen with knives, confronted BLM protesters in La Mesa. Photo by Chris Stone
A line of sheriff's cars move into La Mesa to reinforce the police in place for a BLM protest in the afternoon.
A line of sheriff’s cars move into La Mesa to reinforce the police in place for a BLM event in the afternoon. Photo by Chris Stone
A woman shows up in La Mesa with her sign to support the BLM protest.
A woman shows up in La Mesa with her sign to support the BLM protest. Photo by Chris Stone
A lawyer, who is a legal observer, passes in front of a line of police in downtown La Mesa.
A lawyer, marked as a legal observer, passes in front of a line of police in downtown La Mesa. Photo by Chris Stone
A member of the Wall of Moms San Diego faces a line of police in La Mesa.
A member of Wall of Moms San Diego faces a line of police in La Mesa. Photo by Chris Stone
A Defend East County member at the VFW hall wore a machete on his belt for the second Saturday in a row.
A Defend East County member at the VFW hall wore a machete on his belt for the second Saturday in a row. Photo by La Mesa resident.
A La Mesa man among the march leaders said the event went off well
A La Mesa man among the march leaders said the event went off well, but earlier demands by Tasha Williamson (not present Saturday) still haven’t been met. Photo by Chris Stone
A protestor reaches out to sheriff's deputy at the end of a Black Lives Matter protest.
A protester reaches out to a sheriff’s deputy at the end of a Black Lives Matter event. Photo by Chris Stone
Counterprotesters shout at protesters before police divide them in downtown La Mesa.
Counterprotesters shout at protesters before police divide them in downtown La Mesa. Photo by Chris Stone
One sign referenced the late Rep. John Lewis' comments about necessary trouble being good.
One sign referenced the late Rep. John Lewis’ comments about necessary trouble being good. Photo by Chris Stone
Ryan McAdams of Jamul (left) was later arrested on battery and other charges after a clash with protesters. Here he and Kris Wyrick of Alpine (center) exchange words before march with an unidentified protester.
Ryan McAdams of Jamul (left) was later arrested on battery and other charges after a clash with protesters. Here he and Kris Wyrick of Alpine (center) exchange words before march with an unidentified protester. Photo by Chris Stone
A protester holds up a Black Lives Matter sign as demonstrators face police.
A protester holds up a Black Lives Matter sign as demonstrators face police. Photo by Chris Stone
Pushing and shoving took place between Defend East County members and protesters near the intersection of University Avenue and Spring Street.
Pushing and shoving took place between Defend East County members and protesters near the intersection of University Avenue and Spring Street. Photo by Chris Stone
Protesters block intersection of La Mesa Boulevard and University Avenue on the way back from a winding march through a hilly La Mesa neighborhood.
Protesters block intersection of La Mesa Boulevard and University Avenue on the way back from a winding march through a hilly La Mesa neighborhood. Photo by Chris Stone
Demonstrators march into the La Mesa Police parking lot after protesting throughout La Mesa.
Demonstrators march into a city parking lot after protesting throughout La Mesa. Photo by Chris Stone
A protester holds up a Black Lives Matter sign as proteste
A protester holds up a Black Lives Matter sign as protesters face off with counterprotesters. Photo by Chris Stone
Black Lives Matter protesters march down University Avenue, at one point briefly blocking an intersection.
Black Lives Matter protesters march down University Avenue, at one point briefly blocking an intersection. Photo by Chris Stone
San Diego County Sheriff's deputies line up on Date Avenue to separate counter protesters from protesters near the Civics Center.
San Diego County sheriff’s deputies line up on Date Avenue to separate counterprotesters from protesters near the Civic Center. Photo by Chris Stone
San Diego County Sheriff's deputies line up to follow the protesters' march
San Diego County sheriff’s deputies line up to follow the protesters’ march. Photo by Chris Stone
Counter protesters , some with knives and a club, walk around La Mesa Springs Shopping Center.
Counterprotesters , some with knives and a club, walk around La Mesa Springs Shopping Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Black Lives Matter protesters march behind a police escort in La Mesa.
Black Lives Matter protesters march behind a police escort in La Mesa. Photo by Chris Stone
Protesters briefly block the intersection of University Avenue and La Mesa Boulevard during a BLM march.
Protesters briefly block the intersection of University Avenue and La Mesa Boulevard during a BLM march. Photo by Chris Stone
A protestor confronts police as it got dark at the end of the Black Lives Matter protest in La Mesa.
A protester confronts police as it got dark at the end of the Black Lives Matter event in La Mesa. Photo by Chris Stone

The group, trailed and escorted by motorcycle and other officers, wandered La Mesa’s back hills for more than a half-hour before emerging onto University Avenue from Maple Avenue, where they eventually blocked traffic at the La Mesa Boulevard intersection for about five minutes.

Men with megaphones led chants from atop a black van.

At 9:20 p.m., the protester group at Dale and Allison avenues appeared to be breaking up but a large “defender” group remained 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 at 8:30 p.m.

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

The “We Demand Justice For Our Women Of Color” event — whose organizers remained a mystery — 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.

City officials also announced a temporary executive order Saturday banning weapons, boards, spray paint and other items within the downtown zone. The order took effect at noon Saturday and remained until 5:30 a.m. Sunday.

At 2:30 p.m. — an hour before the event’s advertised start — four Interstate 8 on and off ramps were closed to traffic, causing some misery to motorists who got caught up in protest traffic.

The protected zone was an area bounded by University and Allison avenues and Spring Street that includes the police department, City Hall and library.

La Mesa suffered a riot May 30-31 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 near La Mesa City Hall, also on Allison.

New fencing and concrete barriers were erected Saturday morning around police headquarters. Before the rally under a large tree began, unmarked vans disgorged La Mesa officers in military camouflage uniforms to help with order at the VFW hall.

Chief Vasquez and a group of local faith-based leaders were able to meet with leaders of both groups in the early stages of the event. He told both groups that law enforcement was there to support a safe and peaceful event, and asked for their cooperation.

Vasquez later said: “I would like to thank the organizers of all of the groups in attendance tonight for their efforts to ensure a successful event for all involved. I wholeheartedly support the citizens’ right to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights, and the men and women of the La Mesa Police Department are here to support that. I would also like to thank the numerous law enforcement partners from around the county, as well as Heartland Fire, for assisting us tonight.”

Members of the news media had their own challenges, with protesters shadowing them to prevent their shooting video of protesters, saying they feared being targeted by police.

George Rojas of Escondido did a Facebook livestream for nearly 3 1/2 hours, but was upset that protesters he called Ninja Turtles for their protective garb blocked his view with plastic trash can lids, even bumping into his Canon camera several times.

Award-winning photographer and videographer Tom Abbott argued with protesters and later said he’d never had as much trouble at a news scene in his 35-year career, adding that demonstrators wanted their rights to protest but denied someone their First Amendment right to cover it.

El Cajon’s Justin Haskins, administrator of the 20,000-member Defend East County group, posted his own video in which he showed exasperation with his allies crossing the street to clash with protesters.

“I want everyone back in the parking lot,” he yelled repeatedly, with frequent F-bombs. “We’re here to … help the cops. All we’re doing is taking resources away.”

Haskins was angered that dozens of officers were facing his side, and not toward the marchers.

“We’re acting like a bunch of … idiots right now,” he said at one point.

On Facebook, someone commented: “I know Justin’s trying; it’s tough to keep a bunch of East County knuckleheads in line.”

A little before midnight, Haskins signed off with a final post:

“It wasn’t always pretty, but great job East County. Thank you to everyone who showed up and supported us. The donations were greatly appreciated.”

Booking charges for Ryan McAdams include Arrested was 35-year-old Ryan McAdams of Jamul on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism and probation violation.
Booking charges for Ryan McAdams include Arrested was 35-year-old Ryan McAdams of Jamul on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism and probation violation. Image via jail records

Updated at 12:24 a.m. Aug. 4, 2020

— City News Service contributed to this report

Taunted by ‘Defenders,’ 300 March in La Mesa to Demand Justice was last modified: August 4th, 2020 by Ken Stone

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Posted in Politics | Tagged city hall, Defend East County, La Mesa, La Mesa Department, protest, Ryan McAdams, Walt Vasquez, women of color
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