Oath Keepers Militia Calls Off Planned Protest of Maxine Waters

A far-right militia group called off a planned protest outside Rep. Maxine Waters' office in South Los Angeles. Dozens of counter-protesters staged a protest despite the congresswoman warning them to "not be baited into confronting the Oath Keepers." 

A small group of pro-Waters demonstrators gathered on a corner near the representative's office around 11 a.m. Thursday morning while several officers from the Los Angeles Police Department watched from across the street. 

The protesters from the Oath Keepers had planned to protest Waters' recent statements that encouraged people to confront members of the Trump administration if they encounter them in public. 

"This is both a protest against Maxine Waters' incitement of terrorism, and a stand FOR ICE and the Border Patrol, as they enforce the perfectly constitutional immigration and naturalization laws of this nation," a statement published Tuesday on their website read. "We expect this to be an ongoing protest for an indefinite time."

However, by 1 p.m., a spokesperson for the L.A.P.D. said they had been notified by the group that they had canceled their protest, and would not be showing up. 

Waters released a statement on Wednesday discouraging her supporters from confronting the Oath Keepers. The group, bills itself as a militia and is made up of current and former military personnel, police officers, and first responders. 

"The Oath Keepers would like nothing more than to inflame racial tensions and create an explosive conflict in our community," Waters wrote. "In order to ensure the peace and security of our community, it is best and preferable if no other demonstrations are scheduled."

Despite the Oath Keepers' absence, counter-protesters continued their demonstration at the location against the group, calling them a threat to democracy. 

At one point, a pickup truck drove by the demonstration and the counter-protesters got into a confrontation with the man inside. However, it was unclear whether the people inside the truck had any association with the Oath Keepers. 

Video of the confrontatation showed demonstrators pulling an American flag off the truck, and then lighting it on fire with some chanting, "Black power," while other protesters held signs that read, "Resist!" 

Photo: Getty Images


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content