Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
On a hair trigger...
High tension as armed counter-protest confronts US Black Lives Matter demo
isers, said: “I’m not scared now and I had no hesitation [in protesting].”
Mr Sullivan said some counterprotesters, many carrying “Trump 2020” signs taunted BLM members.
He added: “I’ve had death threats. Some people formed a group against us just to come out here. There was even more reason for me to come out here and change things, because we’re not about violence or racism.
“We want to unify people to bring awareness to the situation and bring unity to the community so that all people have equal opportunities.”
On Monday, a protest against police brutality turned violent when a gunman fired through the window of an SUV as protesters blocked the road.
After the shot, the driver drove forward, pushing demonstrators aside and knocking one to the ground.
The driver, a man in his 60s, suffered a gunshot wound to the arm and shrapnel in his eye and stomach.
Jesse Taggart, 33, of Salt Lake City, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted aggravated murder and aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.
Provo police also confirmed on Tuesday they were looking for a second gunman who is seen in videos brandishing a weapon but not shooting.
The counter-protest was organised by Casey Robertson. He created a Facebook group on Tuesday morning that amassed 2,500 followers in the first 24 hours. An “event” from the group called for others to join him in a counter-protest.
He said: “I saw the news about the shooting that happened out here on the street and it was disturbing to me. I grew up in Provo. This is my town.”
And police and BLM supporters clashed in New York as protests continued there yesterday.