LOS ANGELES _ More than 200 anti-Sharia protesters faced off with counter-demonstrators Saturday at the site of the San Bernardino terrorist attack as part of a nationwide "March Against Sharia" event sponsored by the conservative group Act for America.
Protesters chanted "USA!" and waved signs, including one that said "Islam is not American," near the county's Inland Regional Center, where a Pakistani American couple fatally shot 14 people in 2015. The attack was cited by President Donald Trump as one reason for his controversial travel restriction policy that temporarily bans refugees and immigrants from six Muslim-majority nations.
Protesters faced off against about 100 anti-Trump demonstrators during the rally. Things heated up when counter-protesters packed up to leave just before 1 p.m. As they headed to their cars, anti-Sharia protesters smashed the rear window of at least one car as the driver pulled away.
Sirens blared and police vehicles pulled to the scene as counter-protesters linked arms, standing side by side on the street.
One anti-Trump demonstrator said, "Glad we ran into each other in a place like this. We can form a wall too." As fellow demonstrators began lining up next to him, police on horseback interjected, telling the pro-Trump group to move back across the street.
Police said two to five people were arrested, but they didn't release any further information.
Counter-protesters eventually left as about 100 Trump supporters taunted them, and the scene quieted somewhat.
The "March Against Sharia" rally was one of several demonstrations held in more than 20 cities across the country, including New York, Chicago, Boston, Dallas and Atlanta.
On its website, Act for America, which sponsored the rally, calls itself "the NRA of national security."
"This is a march against Sharia law and for human rights," according to a statement posted on Act for America's website. "Our nation is built on the freedom of religion _ a pillar of our democracy _ which we must always respect, protect, and honor. However, many aspects of Sharia law run contrary to basic human rights and are completely incompatible with our laws and our democratic values."
Act for America member Denise Zamora told CBS2 News, "There are radicals out there. People are saying that we're against Muslims. No, Muslims are attacking other Muslims, and we're bringing in these refugees that have the same ideologies."
But the Southern Poverty Law Center has called Act for America an anti-Muslim hate group. The center noted that the organization's protests are attracting a host of anti-government and far-right extremists.
This week, the group canceled its Batesville, Ark., rally after the law center revealed that neo-Nazi Billy Roper was the main organizer.
"Any event held by this individual is not sanctioned by Act for America, and is not supported or endorsed by Act for America in any manner," the group said in a statement. "We regret any confusion that this individual's actions may cause, and are working with our counsel to demand he cease and desist promotion of his event in a way that will confuse it as being sanction or approved by us."
In response to Saturday's rallies, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's Los Angeles East Chapter, the largest organized Muslim community in San Bernardino County, was to hold an interfaith event later in the day.
"We seek to build bridges and educate our community about true Islam, and even invite those who will be attending the anti-Muslim rallies to visit us and understand our message of peace and tolerance," said Ahsan M. Khan, a spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
