An impromptu rally for reality television personality Spencer Pratt outside Los Angeles' Union Station devolved into a violent confrontation on Friday.
The event, led by far-right political activist Jake Lang, saw participants exchanging punches and using pepper spray and stun guns. Lang, who was seen wearing a tactical-style vest and carrying signs with slogans such as "Spencer Pratt can save L.A. from Communists" and "Deport Nithya Raman back to India," was reportedly punched and pushed to the ground by a counter-protester.
Footage from the scene shows Lang attempting to retreat as his supporters used pepper spray and stun guns to deter counter-protesters who outnumbered them. Some individuals in the opposing crowd were seen wearing a Palestinian flag and a Mexican flag. Lang later claimed on X, formerly Twitter, that he was "brutally ASSAULTED dozens of times by domestic terrorist SCUM ANTFIA" during what he described as a "freedom of speech peaceful event."
One of Lang's defenders, identified as Proud Boy Jon Mellis, was allegedly involved in a physical altercation with a woman. Subsequent video depicted Mellis being struck by another individual while attempting to shield himself. Efforts by Lang's supporters to intervene with stun guns were reportedly ineffective.
Counter-protesters were heard shouting "get the f–k out of LA" and accusing Lang of being a pedophile. Lang, who was observed wearing an ankle monitor at the event, is a candidate in Florida's U.S. Senate election and has faced accusations of white supremacism and making racist statements. He has also reportedly been banned from Texas following an alleged death threat.
LAPD received a 911 call reporting approximately 150 to 200 protesters near Union Station around 11 a.m., according to Citizen.