Violence Erupts At Modesto “Straight Pride” [VIDEO]

The Modesto Bee reports:

Insults turned to violence on Saturday as the National Straight Pride Coalition clashed with over 200 LGBTQ and pro-choice counter-protesters. It’s the fourth consecutive year that demonstrators have assembled in front of the Planned Parenthood building on McHenry Avenue, and like last year, violence quickly ensued.

A scuffle ensued as a Proud Boy attempted to push past the police, said Richard, who watched the violence as a “straight pride” supporter but did not identify as a Proud Boy himself. Counter-protesters started throwing water bottles in retaliation.

More than 25 police officers armed in tactical gear descended on the scene. Police fired pepper spray bullets into the rainbow-clad crowd of counter-protesters, injuring at least two people who were whisked away by volunteers. Police also used bean bag guns, which looked like orange shotguns.

Read the full article. The piece includes many photos.

The “grand marshal” of last year’s rally, which also resulted in violence, was far-right preacher and radio host Jesse Lee Peterson, who was recently accused by several of his friends of having sexual relationships with multiple men. At least two of those men have confirmed the claims.