At least 11 anti-fascists face counts based on conspiracy to commit a riot; they’re also charged with assaults and using tear gas
By Alex Riggins, December 6, 2021
Prosecutors on Monday charged at least seven people, whom they described as self-identified anti-fascists, in connection with eight alleged assaults that occurred in January during a Pacific Beach “Patriot March” organized by supporters of then-President Donald Trump.
Those arraigned Monday in San Diego Superior Court were among a group arrested Thursday in raids by police officers and sheriff’s deputies across Southern California. Prosecutors allege the defendants “are self-identified to be affiliated with Anti-fascists or Antifa,” according to a criminal complaint, and began organizing themselves — with one group originating in San Diego and the other in Los Angeles — a week before the pro-Trump rally.
The case is believed to be one of the first to use conspiracy charges — in this case conspiracy to commit riot — to target alleged members of “Antifa,” a term often used to describe the anti-fascist movement.
