LOS ANGELES_At least two people were arrested Saturday afternoon during dueling rallies staged in Hollywood by supporters and detractors of President Donald Trump.
The arrests stemmed from a scuffle among competing demonstrators outside the busy Hollywood and Highland shopping complex. An anti-Trump protester who received a minor laceration during the skirmish was given medical aid from a rival demonstrator.
This is the second time that Trump supporters and detractors have squared off along Hollywood Boulevard. In March, dozens of activists on both sides rallied. Tensions were high, but the demonstrations were relatively peaceful, ending with at least two arrests.
Trump supporters began gathering about 1 p.m. Saturday near Trump's Hollywood Walk of Fame star in front of the shopping center. Nearly two hours later, an anti-Trump rally and march started at the same location. Police officers on bicycles were forced to shut down a portion of Hollywood Boulevard.
The groups were separated after the skirmish, with the officers standing between the two sides. Meanwhile, tourists watched as the demonstrators continued to chant and wave signs.
Trump backer and rally organizer Randi Berger of Encino told The Los Angeles Daily News that she was "calling all patriots" to help protect the former reality TV personality's Walk of Fame star from being vandalized. Her event is being called "Arrest More Liberals at Their Anti-Trump March," the paper reported.
In October, a man damaged Trump's star with a sledgehammer. In June, the star was covered with stickers during the L.A. Pride Resist March.
The anti-Trump protest, one of several taking place around the country Saturday, is being organized by RefuseFascism. Dozens of people were expected to participate in the rally, according to organizers.
"The Trump/Pence Regime daily escalates its fascist attacks on immigrants and Muslims, on health care and the poor, on Black and Brown people, on women and LGBTQ folks, on the media, on the environment, on the right to protest, on the truth," the organizers stated on their Facebook account.
Similar protests were scheduled in at least 15 other U.S. cities, according to organizers. The anti-Trump group plans to march east on Hollywood Boulevard, south on Vine Street, west on Sunset Boulevard and north on Cahuenga Boulevard, then ending up back at the Hollywood and Highland complex, according to City News Service.
The Los Angeles Police Department said it was aware of the rallies and would plan accordingly to make sure they remained peaceful.
