Social Media Interviewer Choked, Stabbed at California Protest
Content creator claims he was targeted by anti-Trump demonstrators for interviewing people with opposing views.
A social media interviewer was allegedly choked, punched, and stabbed in the leg by protesters during an anti-Donald Trump demonstration in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday. The content creator, who goes by the online handle Dante and runs the social media account In The Streets LA, stated that a group of demonstrators turned violent because he had interviewed individuals with differing political viewpoints.
Dante, who has been documenting protests for over a year, reported that the incident occurred near the Metropolitan Detention Center. He sustained injuries including a punch to the jaw, being placed in a chokehold, and a stab wound to the leg, according to FOX 11.
The alleged assault took place during a "No Kings" protest, which is part of a larger movement opposing the Trump administration. The Los Angeles rally began around 1 p.m. at Gloria Molina Grand Park and concluded around 5 p.m. Demonstrators voiced opposition to federal immigration enforcement and encouraged voter turnout ahead of the midterm elections.
Dante believes his willingness to interview conservatives, in addition to the approximately 80% of his content that features liberal perspectives, made him a target. He stated that protesters accused him of "snitch-jacketing," a term used to label someone as a police informant. "It’s when they call you a snitch and say that you’re a police informant when you’re really just there for your own reasons," he explained.
Despite the alleged attack, Dante expressed continued support for the protest movement but criticized those he believes are exploiting it for intimidation. "I’m for the movement. I’m just not for people hijacking things and using oppression to fight oppression, which is totally backwards," he said.
In a social media post, Dante also claimed that FOX 11 misrepresented his account of the incident, omitting key details and portraying him as being betrayed by fellow demonstrators. He asserted that the report failed to identify the organization of his alleged attackers and downplayed his message of unity across political differences.
No arrests have been reported in connection with the alleged assault. The Los Angeles Police Department stated that they had no information available at the time but were looking into the incident. The identities and affiliations of the alleged attackers remain unconfirmed.