An invitation to a birthday party that went viral in TikTok lured many others to a noisy birthday party on a Southern California beach on Saturday night, which led police to claim an illegal demonstration and arrest nearly 150 other people after refusing to order them to disperse. .
The big demonstration began with a now-deleted video posted on the popular social media app of a user named Adrian. lopez517, who invited her to her birthday party through Huntington Beach homes on Saturday night, the Orange County Register reported Sunday. AdriansKickBack “has gained over 180 million prospects in TikTok.
An assistant told a New York Times reporter, “This is the first time it’s been turned on from COVID. “
At least 400 other people showed up at a pre-party gathering Friday night around a rescue tower, Police Lt. Brian Smith said. When other people in the crowd set off fireworks near houses, he said, officials declared a demonstration illegal and revelers dispersed.
The Huntington Beach Police Department announced the next day that it was preparing for a build-up of visitors due to the promoted party and warned that they would enforce local rules, adding the absence of alcohol or drug use on the beach and fireworks.
But an even bigger crowd on the beach on Saturday night. Police estimated that at least 2,500 other people piled up on the beach before heading to the city centre. Videos posted on social media showed erupting punch fights, others jumping off the pedestrian on Huntington Beach Pier. bridge to an enthusiastic crowd below, others jumping in slow cars and firing more fireworks.
Officers ordered the crowd to disperse and impose a curfew while receiving from other law enforcement agencies. Video images show officers dressed in insurrection helmets in the streets to control the crowd and, in some cases, firing less lethal bullets. others threw bottles, stones and fireworks at officials.
A woman dining at The Hawaiian Duke Restaurant near the pier said she heard fireworks while eating, and when she went to the window to see what was going on, she saw many other people fleeing the beach.
“People are climbing the walls and screaming, more and more fireworks, crowds running. They asked us to let them into the restaurant, banging on the windows,” Sonya Gronning said. “When we left, there was a police wall protecting the restaurant. “. “
Those arrested included 121 adults and 28 minors who were convicted of vandalism, illegally lighting fireworks, dispersing and violating curfews, police spokeswoman Jennifer Carey said.
Several downtown businesses, police cars and a rescue tower were damaged, but were not reported injured, he said.
Huntington Beach, which connects a bustling shopping district with a 13 km stretch of sand, has been the scene of large gatherings over the following year due to pandemic restrictions, the 2020 presidential election and the Black Lives Matter movement. police in the center of town.
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Nguyen reported from Oakland, California.