photo credit: Logan Linderman
photo credit: Logan Linderman
UPDATE: The following is from Martinez Police Chief Manjit Sappal:
Dear Community:
I wanted to provide closure on the protest activity that occurred today. There was a large turnout and while the day was filled with several instances in which there were a few arguments between folks in the crowd, people kept their calm and there was no escalation and no reported violence.
We had a few reports of small arguments and minor physical confrontations, but no major issues. I wanted to thank the organizers for keeping the peace and working with us on the planning of the event. I also wanted to thank the community for their patience. I know our downtown businesses have had to endure a great deal this year, and the inconvenience of boarding up windows in advance of this protest added to the worry and frustration; I appreciate your resilience.
For all of the police officers, dispatchers, non-sworn professional staff, reserve police officers, city staff, and volunteers that worked today – I appreciate your dedication. We were also fortunate to have a large contingent of officers from every agency in this county and we appreciate their assistance. While we did not need to use the additional resources, having them nearby and available was comforting. We could not have been as prepared without them, so I sincerely thank them for coming to support and safeguard our community in our time of need.
These events are challenging to deal with, especially when they present themselves with little time to prepare. We are all thankful that there were no major issues today.
We appreciate your patience and understanding throughout the last week.
Sincerely,
Manjit Sappal
Chief of Police
That has to be the least enthusiastic group of protesters ever assembled. It looks more like a funeral procession. I’m glad the numbers are small and there hasn’t been any violence.
It’s 102° burn baby burn,
Such a shame anyone would back a Marxist group such as this . . . ALL LIVES MATTER 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Believe me, Marxists don’t back diversity and LGBTs don’t back traditional God fearing blacks. These two groups are riding on the coatails of George Floyd’s death. A political coupe. What these two groups share is cancelling white males. Dedpicable.o
The sad thing is peaceful blacks are consevative.
A wife and mother (same person) was just killed supposedly by suspects who were identified as being African Americans for saying just that, saying that all lives matter. They killed her for saying that, in cold blood. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/12102626/mom-jessica-doty-whitaker-shot-dead-black-lives-matter-argument/
Sigh. Here we go again. When Paradise was burning, did you hear anyone say :All lives matter?”
I think more protesters showed up to the little town of Clayton.
So many white supremes..ha. This is a protest? More like a staged photo op. Maybe 250 people..maybe. On their knees about to pass out from the heat. The media sure tried to make a race war again. Sorry guys literally nobody cares. Bunch off freaks baking in the 105 degree heat, pure performance art..big fail for Georgie boy..👀 camera men everywhere..90% white crybabies haha losers. I actually feel bad for all the trees that were cut to board up the place. I’ve had more people for my birthday parties..
You are forgetting, perhaps, a small thing called Covid-19. Going out in this kind of heat to be with a large group of people isn’t the smartest thing to do, no matter how good the cause. Certainly the cause is much better than a birthday party, but either way, it’s not a good idea to be out under these circumstances.
Sure that’s the reason..COVID. Next you’re gonna tell me Joe Biden won’t debate the president because of COVID and we have to vote by mail…Oh wait..what’s this..haha. Always with the excuses. Commies get no love. There is no common ground. You guys showed your hand is over. America has spoken. This little Marxist revolution will be smashed back into the dark hole it came. Back to the late night coffee shop meetings plotting and planning the takeover in darkness. Our kids will be so well versed in what America is, you will never be allowed public office for generations.
“Certainly the cause is much better than a birthday party”
To whom? The thing you leftists don’t understand is subjectivity. You don’t get to decide which causes others should support, and that really, really seems to bother you.
And do you think you’re cool Sam? For your outrageous birthday parties 🤗
Got a laugh out of the “staying home saves lives” commercial before coverage of the protest.
Sad all these people had nothing better to do today. I feel bad for them. What did this accomplish ? Did they change anyone’s life or views over this?
Sad pathetic individuals that need mommy’s love and attention.
Btw love the social distancing! And the group from Richmond? Highest numbers of covid cases are coming out of there. Thanks smarties!
What the!!? What happened to the social distancing? I thought large gatherings were prohibited?
Taken right from their “What We Believe” page on their website:
“We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement”
“We make space for transgender brothers and sisters to participate and lead.”
“We are self-reflexive and do the work required to dismantle cisgender privilege and uplift Black trans folk, especially Black trans women who continue to be disproportionately impacted by trans-antagonistic violence.”
“We dismantle the patriarchal practice that requires mothers to work “double shifts” so that they can mother in private even as they participate in public justice work.”
Now that the peaceful protest is winding down, I am delighted that all is well.
The businesses lost another day of business, which is indeed sad.
We’ll be heading to Martinez soon to help support the local merchants.
I hope the good people of Martinez take a close look on how your City Representatives managed this.
I like the Martinez Police Chief and I all support the police officers involved in today’s event.
It’s too hot to loot.
The county board of supervisors along with all these city councils like Martinez and Walnut Creek are made up of arrogant career whore politicians. They are all little men and hysterical women who are marginal at best at leadership. We must institute term limits from city Council to the US Senate
It does not look like they are social distancing to me, and it is not being enforced either. This sets the precedence to not enforce the size of gatherings.
So families and friends feel free to gather with as many people as you want.
Make sure you refer to it as a protest.
Churches have your congregations sing to their hearts content. No need to worry about social distancing, just call the service a protest.
Covid-19 apparently is not transmitted at protests.
Personally not sure why the protest since those those 2 lames were already charged with a hate crime which I agree with, it’s crazy how individuals put on a red and white hat that says this and that And think they are on top of the world and nobody else matters besides themselves, and “Mayor” I would suggest you don’t post any of the racist comments that are yet to come, just my opinion
Clearly it is these liberals who do not care about anyone but themselves; they are not social distancing, masks are more rarely worn than not, and this silly protest will lead to dozens, hundreds, or thousands of Covid-19 infections and probably multiple deaths. It is enormously selfish and it accomplished absolutely nothing besides spreading a dangerous disease that will then spread to innocents and lead to deaths.
This massive spike in cases is the direct result of massive Liberal demonstrations, looting and rioting over the last weeks. Look at how the average age of Covid-positive patients went from about 60 down to 20-29 – that’s all the silly protestors getting the coof, who will spread it to immunocompromised people like the very elderly and kill them. Liberalism kills in this case, literally.
The “mural” is going to be an ongoing maintenance nightmare.
I don’t want my tax dollars supporting a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.
Excellent point.
Hopefully, the permit issue dates included a date on which the “mural” (if that’s what they’re calling it) is to be removed.
Wilson you make my head shake. This was not a hate crime by any stretch. The politics made it a hate crime. These people should be rewarded for not wanting a mural of a racist, terrorist organization on the streets of downtown mtz. These politicians all over this country that has allowed this destruction should be brought up on charges of treason. Wilson you are the biggest jerk of them all. TRUMP 2020
So…is there a GoFund, petition, or girlscout cookie sale for the 2 who volunteered their time and paint to right the wrong?
Double plus good to both ☝🏻☝🏻
Actually there is…Please share:
https://fundly.com/costacontracouple-legal-defense-fund
thank you claycord for the live feed on this peaceful event.
@KingOfC….Just remember, “Opinions are like a$$holes, everybody has one”. That’s what makes America great!
All Lies Matter!
Just got back.
Quietest protest ever.
Quieter than a Tuesday evening at Sproul Hall during Winter Break.
Saw a trio of black clad goons, with helmets and rubber maid garbage lid shields. Otherwise the crowd consisted of your ordinary elements, the same cross sections you would see at any county fair.
If there was a counter-protest, I didn’t see it.
One local shop owner was giving out free hot dogs and water to appease the crowd. But there was no need.
Something about triple digit heat, it can really mellow out the mob and deflate conviction. Not two hours in and steady streams of people were trickling back out.
Another sleepy Sunday in Martinez.
Where were all those “white supremacists” that were supposed to be here?
The threats of “white supremacists”, biker groups, and other counter protesters were as fake as the flier that got this thing started.
CBS reporter in the crowd told viewers, “there are about 2,000 people.”
Ummmmmm……obviously, he’s embarrassed at the low turn out.
I caught that too. Made me chuckle.
800?
Try 300.
You are right. This is America. A peaceful protest is fine.
Many people might not agree with it, I might not either, but if this is what people want to do, I support it. As long as there’s no damage.
Once destruction and looting ensue, all bets are off. Or should be. Unless you’re Walnut Creek.
MPD handled this well. City leaders, not so much.
Would tearing up a “It’s okay to be white” poster be considered a hate crime by you? Explain the difference.
Reality Check: “Time to defend the American as set forth by the founders.” Does that include the buying and selling of slaves brought against their will? Does that include only land owning white MEN can vote? Would you like to also have indentured servants working for their freedom for years, white ones of course? I think we have come a long way and vastly improved on the “American as set forth by the founders.”
Much too rational. You need to rant and rave more or something.
You people are lame. The organizers never said they were bringing thousands of people, just the police. It was peaceful.
Oh no, not lame. Whatever shall become of me?
By the way, the use of “lame” is offensive to differently abled humans.
Well said and all true.
A SIGN of the times and it’s not good.
No one can change or erase History or change minds, to think differently. Do something worthwhile and then you prove you matter to society.
It was supposed to be the aerial picture with the red circle drawn around the small crowd; It wasn’t supposed to include the text.
My bad – I forgot pics can’t be pasted in the comments.
You need to take a nap with your binky.
I totally agree, S. Wilson. I grew up in Lafayette. I had a black friend in junior high. He told me he had a cross burnt on his front yard. I was shocked, and still remember the shame I felt that this had been done to his family. The family moved after that year. I still think of him, and wish him and his family all the best.
I wonder how many of those protesters pay taxes or own property??????
The closest they get to Taxes is when they pick up their welfare check paid for by Taxpayers.
Or have a job.
Or want a job.
Or brush their teeth
Uh huh…. Sure, bud.
Gotta give ’em credit, more people showed up than show up for a biden rally.
@Dorothy
Yes, Dorothy, that includes everything about America, her faults as well as her greatness. You can’t pick and choose which America to defend.
The schools have been doing the guilt trip on kids for years.
They are disrepectfully standing on the mural. Isn’t that a hate crime?
@S.Wilson
Well said, thank you 😊
Regarding the vandalism and looting, I believe the media referred to it as “Peaceful protesters having an outburst of anger”.
“in a few weeks there will be another massive upsurge in Covid-19 cases brought on by these irresponsible people, ”
Did you look at the pictures of the protesters? There were very, very few who weren’t wearing masks.
WINNERS:
1.) Home Depot
2.) Grabber Screws
3.) Carpenters
LOSERS:
1.) Martinez Business
2.) Tax payers
3.) Martinez Residence
4.) City Workers
5.) Mutual Response Officers from surrounding cities
6.) CCC Fire
7.) Paramedics
8.) Sheriff Department
9.) Martinez Parks
Thanks Dorothy – the dumbest thing I’ve heard all day. Get you fat A$$ back to the 1800’s
I went to the “protest” today mostly out of curiosity. I wanted a front row seat to watch how things unfolded. Honestly, I’ve seen more enthusiasm at the bowling alley when the 70+ Rossmoor league is playing a Tuesday night tournament. The protest was pathetic. I was actually embarrassed for the organizers. They claimed 1,000 people were present. There were maybe 300 total, of which 40 were there in support of Native Americans.
The whole thing just reeked of desperation. The organizers, who I struggle to call “organizers’ because they couldn’t even do that right, should be embarrassed by the dismal turnout. There was no message, no focus, just a smorgasbord of SIMPS. The Antifa goofs that showed up in their parents BMW’s in full military regalia apparently didn’t get the message. There were probably 30 of them. 28 Antifa had ‘Medic’ bands around their arms. Just like a video game, they were all medics with no actual soldiers to be seen. A bunch of Larping white kids. One of them had milk dripping out of his or her (couldn’t tell) backpack. A cop asked what’s leaking, and they said it was milk because they were expecting teargas. The cops just laughed at said person and turned their backs. It was mostly white people, mostly old people hoping to get a tingle up their leg. Everything was predicated on some “white power” flyer that they said was found in Martinez. Read the flyer, it sounds like a schizo wrote it. Someone wanting to start trouble? What they won’t tell you is that the same flyer was found in several other cites in the Bay Area. They have no idea who wrote it, and it could be anyone. Could it be the “organizers” starting trouble? Who knows, but today sure was a hoot!
I was there as well and could not of said it better. These medic jokers and anarchist creeps on their crappy motorcycles looked like extras for a Mad Max sequel.
Soy boys everywhere. It was pathetic. Some weirdo was on a painted horse. SMH…..
Martinez Gal what are SIMPS ? Thanks for your input as well.
Thanks for the on-the-ground point of view.
Hopefully this is the end of the nuttiness for Martinez for a while. The temperature in this whole country really needs to come down.
@Dorothy, Hi there. When did I endorse slavery, you maniac? Why are you talking about slavery at this point? I will tell you, factually, please fact check me in your favorite search engine, that there are more slave snow than at any time in human history, and it is in the hands of black Africans, middle easterners, and Asians. This is not a lie, go look it up, right now, I dare you to refute this. Americans, European Americans, died to end slavery, not just in America but abroad! The Shores of Tripoli military song is about American men, brave men, who died to stop slavery abroad!
I encourage you to challenge me with a real argument backed by facts.
Definitely not 85 comments when I read this.
Vandalism for painting over the graffiti? Fine, I’ll give you that – go ahead and bend the knee to the mob. Hate crime? Not on your life.
So what happens when Black Friday comes..??More protesting or looting of businesses..??
Dr. F, I thought all the church goers today who sat six feet apart were the ones spreading COVID-19, not all these people not social distancing and yelling? Please……..
That is a road hazard the traction is impossible on painted surfaces. That thing should be painted over immediately with no one is above the law in a grit filled paint for traction. Painting over something like that is far from a hate crime. Have you ever heard of the first amendment. and if you’re going to allow one group to paint something on the street you need to allow all groups otherwise you’re going to find yourself in one heck of a lawsuit
Very happy and relieved how the protest was handled. And good work by the police who stood by the ready if needed, but did not stop people from voicing their opinion.
SO troubling that from the live stream it sounded like they were chanting “Cops and klans go hand in hand”. Did I hear that right?
They are just trying to brainwash weak minded people in having a purpose.
Seemed more like a travelling road show protest, they just reach out for a couple of local people and then the circus continues to another town.
All the shut down carnival, circus, and performance arts workers back on tour as “protesters”. Double dipping unemployment and payment for their “art”
Carnies lives matter
It was a beautiful peaceful demonstration! I was sure they would have a violent incident or the looters would come and tear up Martinez. Not the case at all. They are people that demand social justice for the black people who are always loosing their lives to police brutality! We had our own protests in Rossmoor recently and one yesterday. Not a Marxist! Ha ha how about a Republican? Name calling is not a way to go.
Some may not agree with the message but I for one am happy to see that freedom of speech is still alive and well.
Freedom of Speech & Freedom to Assembly are essential to keeping America in the hands of the People.
Looting & burning businesses are essential to tearing down individual livelihoods.
This all stems from the way our leftist media reports on stories, when they mention race it creates further divide. When someone does something good race is rarely mentioned. Until a blind eye falls on people for what they are, and is replaced by who they are, this issue will never go away. It’s the media who is to blame, Not Police.
All you ignorant people, that support this media generated issue that doesn’t exist, need to do your own research and stop listening to the propaganda. It’s not that tough, look up the numbers.
These protestors-no matter what the cause or color- should have to register just as we have to do for church or other venues and those protestors or their alleged organization, should then have to pony up cash to pay for the extra law enforcement and first responders that are needed to control the traffic and crowds and cleanup after the messes they leave. Any damage they do to property would have to be covered by an large up front deposit. Any funds not used would be returned. You all want to be equal so you should be liable to pay your fair share and costs ahead of time. Instead, the cities and counties have to dip into their funds to cover the costs. Fair is Fair-equal treatment to all.
But I live in a dream world.
@ joatmeal
Yes, and can you see how well they are social distancing and keeping their groups to under 100?
Anon, Hi there! Dorothy’s comment was addressed to Reality Check who’s comment is the one directly following yours.
Funny, SF Gate reports 2000+ Attendees.
@SF oh
Thank you for your post. I’ve wanted to point out similar backgrounds of friends and family. The reason your family, my family, friend’s families did not whine about their historic hardships and moved on successfully even though they did not look like whites and were not Caucasian is that they had intelligence, strength of character and determination. They had enough self worth and did not need to blame other for hundreds of years. These FACTS have been and will continue to be ignored because it’s the easy way out.
I was hoping the heat would keep a large crowd away, and the fact that Martinez doesn’t have what they’re looking for as far as looting and rioting. They wouldn’t know how to resell antiques, and then there is the restaurants. The only reason they didn’t break in is because there is nothing for them.
Now that the party is over, it’s time to remove these letters from our street.
I agree, its on the road and its not standard signage. Break out the sand blaster.
Wrong Natalie.
No need to break a sweat and argue with fools in 100 degree weather, because we are intelligent.
Smart people Think, which is why we boarded up Our City and prepared. There’s a good life lesson there.
@natelie You see how you people are? “but it was still larger than the counter protest” actually the people who were going to protect Martinez were there in full force. SWAT team, sheriff, multiple police departments. Useful idiots trying to start a race war with your media friends and activist DA and mayor to divide the people. Here’s your headline: PEACEFUL PEOPLE OF MARTINEZ CALLED RACIST FOR BEING ON GUARD CUZ A SMALL GROUP OF COMMIES THREATENED THEIR SAFETY, HOMES, AND BUSINESSES. Your post suggests clear disappointment actual Americans didn’t play with you guys. grow up, not everyone is as ignorant as dimwit commies
The ‘mural’ in Martinez is out of place. Shouldn’t it say everyone matters?