10-25-2018, 10:13 AM
Yesterday, the leader and three members of a California-based white supremacist group were charged with attacking counter-protesters, journalists and a police officer at political rallies throughout the state in 2017, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles said Wednesday.
The men and other members of the "Rise Above Movement" sought to "organize, promote, encourage, participate in, or carry on riots" in Huntington Beach, Berkeley, San Bernardino and the deadly Charlottesville rally, the office said.
![[Image: 25rundo-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto...le=upscale]](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/10/25/us/25rundo-print/25rundo-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)
^ Robert Rundo, 28, who allegedly founded the group, was denied bail Wednesday after first appearing in court on Monday. He'd fled to Central America and was arrested at L.A. International Airport.
"Every American has a right to peacefully organize, march and protest in support of their beliefs – but no one has the right to violently assault their political opponents," U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Nick Hanna said in a statement.
"The allegations describe an orchestrated effort to squelch free speech as members of the conspiracy traveled to multiple locations to attack those who hold different views."
Rundo and two of the men charged in Virginia celebrated Adolf Hitler’s birthday this spring in Europe, where they met with other white supremacy extremist groups, according to the affidavit.
The four men charged in California could face up to 10 years in federal prison if found guilty.
Refs:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nati...755798002/
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/24/us/fb...above.html
The men and other members of the "Rise Above Movement" sought to "organize, promote, encourage, participate in, or carry on riots" in Huntington Beach, Berkeley, San Bernardino and the deadly Charlottesville rally, the office said.
^ Robert Rundo, 28, who allegedly founded the group, was denied bail Wednesday after first appearing in court on Monday. He'd fled to Central America and was arrested at L.A. International Airport.
"Every American has a right to peacefully organize, march and protest in support of their beliefs – but no one has the right to violently assault their political opponents," U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Nick Hanna said in a statement.
"The allegations describe an orchestrated effort to squelch free speech as members of the conspiracy traveled to multiple locations to attack those who hold different views."
Rundo and two of the men charged in Virginia celebrated Adolf Hitler’s birthday this spring in Europe, where they met with other white supremacy extremist groups, according to the affidavit.
The four men charged in California could face up to 10 years in federal prison if found guilty.
Refs:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nati...755798002/
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/24/us/fb...above.html