A group of counterprotesters gathered outside the California office of U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters on Thursday, burning and stepping on an American flag after a group of far-right demonstrators failed to appear, Fox News informed.
The Oath Keepers said they would gather against the congresswoman they call a “protest terrorist inciter” early Thursday afternoon, encouraging counterprotesters to appear in support of Waters.
But the Oath Keepers did not arrive, the Los Angeles Times reported.
A few dozen counterprotesters, including union workers, church leaders, South Los Angeles residents and members of activist groups, gathered outside the office around midday.
Some demonstrators chanted, “Black power,” while other held signs that read, “Resist!”
Waters issued a statement criticizing the Oath Keepers.
“The Oath Keepers would like nothing more than to inflame racial tensions and create an explosive conflict in our community,” Waters stated.
At some point during the protest, a vehicle with an American flag on the back approached and was stopped by the crowd.
Some protesters opened the car doors while others grabbed the flag as the vehicle drove off.
The flag was then stepped on and set on fire as someone stoked the flames. A few people cheered and someone yelled, “This is not the American flag, this is their flag.”
No one was injured and police made no arrests.
It remained unclear if the car that drove by Thursday was in any way related to the Oath Keepers.
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