Fact Check: The protesters or the cops start to ride in California

Fact Check: "The protesters or the cops start to ride in California"

What We Know

The claim suggests that either protesters or police initiated riding activities during protests in California. According to multiple reports, protests in Los Angeles were sparked by immigration enforcement actions and have involved both peaceful demonstrations and violent clashes.

On one hand, protesters reportedly set several Waymo self-driving cars on fire in downtown Los Angeles, which led to the suspension of Waymo's services in the area. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) noted that the burning of these vehicles posed significant safety risks due to the release of toxic gases from lithium-ion batteries.

On the other hand, there have been reports of erratic driving by a van during the protests, which endangered both protesters and police. The driver of the van was seen driving through a car park, hitting objects, and narrowly avoiding police lines before being arrested.

Additionally, there are reports of motorcyclists breaching police lines, resulting in injuries to police officers. This suggests that some protesters were indeed engaging in aggressive riding activities.

Analysis

The evidence indicates that both protesters and police were involved in activities that could be described as "riding." The burning of Waymo cars and the erratic driving of a van by a protester highlight aggressive actions by some individuals within the protest groups. Furthermore, the incident involving motorcyclists breaching police lines further supports the claim that protesters engaged in riding activities.

Conversely, there is also evidence of police using horses during the protests, as seen in a viral video showing a protester being stomped by police on horseback. This indicates that police were also involved in riding activities, albeit in a law enforcement capacity.

The reliability of the sources varies. The New York Times and BBC are generally considered reputable, providing detailed accounts of the events. The Wikipedia entry offers a broad overview but should be cross-referenced with primary sources for accuracy. The Newsweek article provides visual evidence, which can be compelling but requires context for full understanding.

Conclusion

The claim that "the protesters or the cops start to ride in California" is Partially True. Evidence supports that both protesters and police were involved in riding activities during the protests. Protesters engaged in aggressive actions, including setting vehicles on fire and driving erratically, while police used horses as part of their crowd control measures. Both sides contributed to the chaotic scenes described in the reports.