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Article was ‘fake news’

2 min read
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I am amazed that the Associated Press article in the Aug. 28 edition concerning the free-speech rally in Berkeley, Calif., the day before was so blatantly untrue. The story’s headline read “Dueling perspectives” and “Tense, peaceful exchanges among Berkeley protesters.”

The article indicated that police banned a long list of items, such as baseball bats and scarves or bandanas to cover faces. The article also indicated that the event was entirely peaceful.

Video and photos from the demonstration give lie to this, however. Video of the protest shows groups of Antifa activists kicking and punching demonstrators who fell in the street, swinging batons at others and threatening to destroy the cameras of anyone documenting their mayhem. The Berkeley police just pulled back and allowed the violence to escalate.

However, other news outlets reported that members of the Antifa movement attacked peaceful protesters. The Antifa group of more than 100 hooded protesters, with shields emblazoned with the words “no hate” and flags identifying themselves as anarchists, broke through police lines and avoided security checks. At least a dozen people were arrested in the melee.

Even U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who represents nearby San Francisco, condemned the Antifa protesters.

The Antifa movement believes strongly in violence as the appropriate response to people with whom they disagree. They are also strongly against free speech. The only speech that should be permitted, according to Antifa, is that which they approve.

I am not sure of your motive for publishing such a work of fiction and concealing the truth. Only you can answer that. However, if I ever need an example of “fake news,” here it is.

Stephen A. Davis

Eighty Four

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