TimesOC: Counter protest drowns out few who appear for ‘White Lives Matter’ rally
Good morning and welcome to the TimesOC newsletter.
It’s Wednesday, April 14. I’m Carol Cormaci, bringing you the latest roundup of Orange County news and events.
During the middle of the day last Sunday, while most Orange County residents were going about their usual routines, Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach was teeming for a few hours with people drawn in, some by curiosity but mostly in solidarity with people of color after word spread that a “White Lives Matter” rally was planned.
A team of my colleagues — Hayley Smith, Ruben Vives, Priscella Vega, Hannah Fry and Matt Szabo — covered the event, which turned out to be largely a grassroots counter protest to the white supremacist’s’ planned rally. Not only did media keep an eye on the action, police helicopters and drones hovered above throughout. It was the kind of scene, with the potential for chaos, that Huntington Beach has witnessed all too many times over the years.
As it turned out, although some “Proud Boys” appeared, few in the crowd took the alt-right point of view. But there were some scuffles and 12 arrests, and police firmly shut things down when it became too much.
Now, as reporter Matt Szabo writes this week, Huntington Beach officials are breathing a sigh of relief that the gathering was relatively quiet and that the majority of people who were there had good intentions. An extremism expert Szabo spoke to for his story said the white nationalist and alt-right coalition have not been effective in organizing events for the past few months.
The mayor of Huntington Beach, Kim Carr, said she and other civic leaders are looking ahead to a day when they might reclaim the plaza for tamer, family-oriented activities.
NEWS
— An investigator who led the probe into sexual assault allegations against a Newport Beach surgeon and his girlfriend is accusing Orange County Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer of sabotaging the prosecution of the case and retaliating against her for investigating the couple.
— Sakura Kokumai, a karate champion slated to represent the United States in the 2021 Olympic Games, announced on a recent Instagram post she was targeted in an anti-Asian rant while she warmed up for a run at Grijalva Park in Orange.
— A 38-year-old man who pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to his poisoning several homeless people in Huntington Beach and then filming their tortured reactions was sentenced to jail late last week.
— A concert designed to combat hatred against Asian Americans will be broadcast in coordination with VietFace TV from 5 to 8 p.m. on April 24. All proceeds will go to fight anti-Asian hate rhetoric and violence, as well as provide services for vulnerable community members via a fund through Orange County United Way. The upcoming concert was announced during a press conference held Friday in Huntington Beach.
— A five-year, $10.6-million contract with LAZ Parking to provide drivers and dispatchers for the Laguna Beach summer trolley service was approved by the City Council.
SPORTS
— Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left groin strain, the Angels announced Monday.
— An unforgettable Sunset League football game Friday night which was finally decided in the fifth overtime period, ended with the Edison High Chargers beating the Corona del Mar High Sea Kings, 44-41.
— In a press conference held Monday, CIF Southern Section commissioner Rob Wigod announced that with the pandemic crisis apparently easing, there will be season playoffs in the sports of baseball, softball, boys’ volleyball and boys’ and girls’ basketball, lacrosse, soccer, tennis and dual meet wrestling.
LIFE & LEISURE
— Don’t miss the story of the irrepressible Bubbles, a stray Chihuahua-pug mix who has captured the hearts of staff at the Newport Beach Animal Shelter and has become the shelter’s mascot.
— A slice of boysenberry pie always brings to mind Buena Park’s Knott’s Berry Farm, which has announced it will open its gates to the public on May 21 to celebrate its 100th year.
— It won’t come as a big surprise to most Orange County residents that Crystal Cove State Park, between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, is among the most difficult camping sites in the state to reserve. Here’s a how-to guide for staking out your space at a California campground this year.
—There’s a new executive director for the Laguna Art Museum. Julie Perlin Lee, who grew up attending schools in Orange County, most recently served as executive director of the Catalina Island Museum.
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