"I think the story is we ran a far better campaign than the other side." -- Frank Schubert, Yes on 8
Two arrested in street fight over Prop 8 in San Mateo
Michael Manekin
Bay Area News Group
Article Launched: 11/05/2008 08:03:02 AM PST
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10905770?source=most_emailed
SAN MATEO -- A political debate over the right for same-sex couples to marry caused about 20 people in San Mateo to get into a verbal altercation Monday, leading at least two people who oppose same-sex marriage to assault a 17-year-old girl, police said.
A teenager and a 35-year-old San Mateo man were each arrested in connection with the incident, and a second adult is being sought, police said.
The girl was among a group of five to seven individuals protesting against Proposition 8, which would take away the right for same-sex couples to marry.
The altercation occurred at Third Avenue and Humboldt Street, where the small group opposing the proposition had gathered to voice their views with signs and placards. Between 10 and 15 supporters of the proposition were displaying signs of their own across the street.
Around 4 p.m., a man in his 20s holding a "Yes on 8" sign crossed the street and attacked a 17-year-old girl opposing the proposition, knocking her down and striking her in the head, San Mateo police Lt. Mike Brunicardi said.
A man then ran up and spit in the girl's face, police said. Meanwhile, a passer-by attempted to help break up the altercation but was punched in the face by a 16-year-old boy, Brunicardi said.
Authorities are still looking for the man who knocked down the 17-year-old girl and hit her on the head. He is described as a Polynesian man, 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 250 pounds, and wearing
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a white T-shirt.
The man accused of spitting in the girl's face - identified by police as Ivan Schaumkel, 35, of San Mateo - was arrested on suspicion of assault.
The 16-year-old who punched the man who attempted to stop the fight was also arrested on suspicion of assault.
Michael Manekin
Bay Area News Group
Article Launched: 11/05/2008 08:03:02 AM PST
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10905770?source=most_emailed
SAN MATEO -- A political debate over the right for same-sex couples to marry caused about 20 people in San Mateo to get into a verbal altercation Monday, leading at least two people who oppose same-sex marriage to assault a 17-year-old girl, police said.
A teenager and a 35-year-old San Mateo man were each arrested in connection with the incident, and a second adult is being sought, police said.
The girl was among a group of five to seven individuals protesting against Proposition 8, which would take away the right for same-sex couples to marry.
The altercation occurred at Third Avenue and Humboldt Street, where the small group opposing the proposition had gathered to voice their views with signs and placards. Between 10 and 15 supporters of the proposition were displaying signs of their own across the street.
Around 4 p.m., a man in his 20s holding a "Yes on 8" sign crossed the street and attacked a 17-year-old girl opposing the proposition, knocking her down and striking her in the head, San Mateo police Lt. Mike Brunicardi said.
A man then ran up and spit in the girl's face, police said. Meanwhile, a passer-by attempted to help break up the altercation but was punched in the face by a 16-year-old boy, Brunicardi said.
Authorities are still looking for the man who knocked down the 17-year-old girl and hit her on the head. He is described as a Polynesian man, 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 250 pounds, and wearing
Advertisement
a white T-shirt.
The man accused of spitting in the girl's face - identified by police as Ivan Schaumkel, 35, of San Mateo - was arrested on suspicion of assault.
The 16-year-old who punched the man who attempted to stop the fight was also arrested on suspicion of assault.