As the LA riots and protests continue, it appears some odd things have started happening in the civilian ranks because recent footage captured during the heat of a riot clash somehow shows dissent among the civilians. One civilian even tackled a rioter who had instigated a fight with the police. The incident has led many to believe that the person who helped the police was an undercover cop.
Media outlet Status Coup News was at the forefront of the event when it unfolded in Los Angeles, California, around June 11. Their short footage captured a couple of rioters taunting the police until one of them threw a bottle. Immediately after the bottle was thrown, the riot police started shooting out tear gas and firing rubber bullets, forcing the two rioters to retreat.
While the rioter who attacked first was retreating, a man in a white t-shirt suddenly charged at him from behind and tackled him to the ground, slamming his head and leading to cops arresting the instigating rioter. Here’s the clip of the whole interaction:
Unfortunately, Status Coup’s reporter, Tina Berg, got caught in the altercation and was apparently hit by a rubber bullet. Thankfully, she was wearing a Kevlar suit and wasn’t harmed too much. It’s not the first time the cops shot a journalist in the LA riots and protests– some cops have even done so intentionally. Hence, reporters like Berg have prepared for the worst and started wearing more protection.
Meanwhile, the civilian who tackled the rioter in black clothes has raised some eyebrows as to why the cops didn’t pick him up or why he chose to do what he did.
Spectators Suspect an Undercover Cop
Due to the nature of the tackler’s response and how the riot police seemingly left him untouched, some have started accusing the civilian of being a plainclothes or even an undercover ICE agent. It also wasn’t clear what he was doing in the scene, watching a couple of rioters taunt the police.
Still, there’s also a chance that he’s actually a civilian unaffiliated with any government agency, but at that point, I don’t know what’s worse: an actual civilian helping the oppressive state for free or an undercover cop among the ranks of LA rioters and protesters. Pick your poison, I guess.
Many people online have since questioned the man’s motives, while others were not so reserved in their insults, calling the tackling civilian an authority bootlicker of sorts. Some, however, were sympathetic towards the civilian in the white shirt.
“Simping for the police state,” says @obessivelyspeak
“That guy must be undercover,” suggests Not-Found-4-0-4error
“The spear! Idiot deserved it too. Putting everyone else there at risk from a potential response from LAPD/National Guard,” argues DerpinTerp
