■ PROTESTS TAKE CENTER STAGE AT STATE HOUSE.

Three groups clash

A demonstration calling to rid the state flag and seal of Native American imagery descended briefly into chaos Thursday when “Back the Blue” protesters showed up for their own planned rally on the State House steps and a third group arrived calling to “cancel taxes.”

Members of several Native American tribes and advocacy groups were in the middle of a press conference when they were interrupted by the arrival of the group protesting the police reform bill the Senate passed this week.

Shouting ensued, as did a scuffle when members of the “Back the Blue” group made their way onto the State House steps where Native American protesters were standing. Around that time a third group, who showed up to call for canceling mortgages and property taxes in response to a bill seeking to extend the moratorium on evictions, entered the mix.

“I don’t want to focus on that … We’re here to get these bills passed,” Mahtowin Munro, of the United American Indians of New England, said about his desire to stick to talking about legislation that would create a commission to recommend changes to the state seal and another that would bar public schools from using Native American references in team names or mascots. “The Legislature needs to do the right thing and pass it.”

“Back the Blue” protesters called on House lawmakers and Gov. Charlie Baker not to pass the police reform bill approved by the Senate earlier this week,which would ban chokeholds, limit qualified immunity and create certification processes for cops.

Quincy Police Officer Tara Waters said senators “skipped an entire legislative process by not allowing the public input” in the reform bill they “rushed” to pass at 4 a.m. Tuesday.

“Qualified immunity is the biggest part for us. In our daily work everything’s so fluid. Sometimes we meet people who are hell bent on committing violence. And we can’t get to a point where police are hesitating to act when it comes to defending themselves,” Waters said, adding, “I’m not going to put anyone in a chokehold.”

Mike Catalano, who said he has family members who are police officers, blasted senators for passing a bill

“without public input that affects what my security is.”

MATT sTonE pHoTos / HErAld sTAFF CURIOUS STANDOFF: Rod Webber, right, heckles pro-police supporters during a rally in front of the State House on Thursday. Below left, State Police try to intercede in an argument between protesters.

CONFUSION REIGNS: Back the Blue supporters surround a woman who supports changing the state flag as different protests clashed at the State House on Thursday.

GETTING TENSE: A Back the Blue protestor screams at Native Americans, who want to change the state flag, as they burn herbs at the State House on Thursday.