SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — Groups of pro-Israel and pro-Palestine demonstrators took to San Jose City Hall for counterprotests Wednesday night.
But what ensued included graphic signs and a vehicle driving through one of the events.
San Jose police separated the two groups with caution tape to allow freedom of expression at City Hall. But some believe the events from last night crossed the lines of First Amendment rights.
At the center of two counter rallies in San Jose was a sign cursing Islam, which caught the attention of many throughout the community.
One group supporting Israel, another supporting Palestine, and police say both were confrontational to each other.
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San Jose State Spartan Daily Reporter Bethany Gadway was reporting at the center of it all.
“It was very eye-opening. I would say, when you’re in it, and you’re experiencing it, you can feel the raw emotion that is coming from these people,” Gadway said.
Later in the evening, a vehicle drove through an area where the pro-Palestinian group was demonstrating. Police told ABC7 that the driver was picking up audio equipment and was not acting in a malicious manner.
However, Jack McCann, who said he was struck by the vehicle after he and others surrounded it, viewed the incident differently.
“There were families with young children in the crowd. This was assault with a deadly weapon and could have easily turned into a mass murder — reminiscent of what happened in Charlottesville a few years ago,” McCann said.
Police are continuing to investigate and say a window of the car was damaged.
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Zahra Billoo, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations for the San Francisco Bay Area, said the sign, alleged phrases shouted during the demonstration and the vehicle incident all crossed the line of free speech.
“It’s one thing for people to have political disagreements, but it’s another for them to espouse hate against the second largest religion in the world, and to do so unapologetically — like these were people who were unashamed,” Billoo said.
Billoo called on local leaders to condemn the actions.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said the vehicle entering the crowd was concerning, but did not go so far to condemn the signs.
“I would just encourage all of our residents to engage in their First Amendment rights respectfully, and to really try to engage in good faith with people they disagree with, and to try to turn down the temperature a little bit. To listen too, maybe ask a question,” Mahan said.
McCann said he plans to press charges against the driver of the vehicle, who he said drove onto the sidewalk. San Jose police told ABC7 that any potential charges would be determined by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.
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