My family and I protested a Nazi rally in Riverside yesterday.  20 Nazis gathered for the second time in a month, protesting near a day laborer corner.  They have been harassing the day laborers and also harassed a Jewish synagogue in Riverside.  We were there along with 600 other counter protesters, protesting the open presence of the Nazis in our valley.  Others there were Jews, blacks, gays, and Latinos. 

Our side was there in large numbers before the Nazis arrived.  As soon as they came, a scuffled occurred.  Some students unwisely rushed over to the Nazi side. 

The Nazis punched one of the counterprotesters many times in the head before police separated the two groups.  No Nazis were arrested in spite of their violence to this person.  At the same time, one of our side threw limes at the Nazis and was arrested for "assault with a deadly weapon."  Deadly weapon????  Limes????

The standoff continued for several hours with no further violence or incidents, just shouting back and forth.  The Nazis had their flags with Swastikas on them, and our side carried signs and had a drum band with chants and dancing.  I saw most of it from down the road in the only shady spot, as I can't handle hot sun.  I spent about half an hour at the focus point near the Nazis, who were being protected by swat teams, heavily loaded with arms and ammunition. 

The Nazis say they will be back again- and again- and again.  There are a lot of people in this valley (called the Inland Empire) that are concerned about the fact that the Nazis are coming out in such a bold way.  Among those concerned are Blacks, Jews, Gays, Latino Immigrants, and those of us who care about how our fellow human beings are treated, and any threats to them. 

My biggest concern right now regarding the Nazis is the Nazi tactics being used currently by the police, ICE, and Border Patrol that are reminiscent of how Hitler treated the Jews in Germany during World War 2.  The authorities are conducting night raids in which people's doors are kicked in and families are torn apart, with parents deported whether legal/documented or not, so fast that they have no chance to contact a lawyer or call their famlies so their families know where they are. 

If the Nazis continue their aggressive demonstrations, I and my family will be there confronting them again along with our many friends.  Please drop in and say HI if you still read the posts on this group.  It gets rather lonely at times with no one else posting but me. 

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