Jae C. Hong / AP
People chant their slogans as they burn a U.S. flag on fire outside the Los Angeles office of U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters Thursday, July 19, 2018, in Los Angeles. The crowd of counter-protesters were gathering at the field office of Waters, a black Democrat who has made comments criticizing President Donald Trump, to counter a protest by a self-styled militia group. They burned the American flag taken from the back of a pickup truck that drove up to the scene.
Thursday, July 19, 2018 | 6:25 p.m.
LOS ANGELES — A small crowd that gathered Thursday outside the Los Angeles office of U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters to counter an expected protest by a self-styled militia group burned an American flag taken from the back of a pickup truck.
The incident happened after the far-right Oath Keepers group didn't appear at the office after saying it would rally against the congresswoman.
A group of counter-protesters there to support Waters were chanting "black power" and other slogans when the pickup approached.
The vehicle, occupied by two men who appeared to be white, was stopped by the crowd. Some marchers opened the doors and one grabbed the flag flying on a pole in the bed of the truck, which sped off.
The flag was stepped on and lit 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 or arrested. Police wouldn't immediately say whether they were investigating.
Attempts to reach a representative for Waters were unsuccessful.
The congresswoman, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, sparked anger among conservatives after she called on the public to "push back" on administration officials spotted in public.
The Oath Keepers called Waters a "protest terrorist inciter" and said members intended to "stand against terrorism, stand for freedom of speech and association, in support of ICE/Border Patrol as they enforce constitutional immigration laws."
The gathering was planned for the early afternoon but police said then that authorities had been informed by Oath Keepers that the demonstration was called off.
"The Oath Keepers would like nothing more than to inflame racial tensions and create an explosive conflict in our community," Waters said in a statement a day earlier urging counter-protesters to stay away.
A few dozen counter-protesters including union workers, church leaders, South Los Angeles residents and members of activist groups gathered peacefully outside the office at midday. Some held signs proclaiming "Black, brown and labor unity!" and "Resist!"
"These people are coming here to cause problems," said Cliff Smith, an organizer with United Union of Roofers Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local No. 36. "Violent right wing groups have no business here."
