Self-described “queer activist” and Berkeley drop-out, Jonah Bigel was arrested at a weekly provocative political event at the boardwalk in Pacific Beach on a felony assault charge, felony vandalism and a misdemeanor possession of narcotics / controlled substance.
Note: This blog post is full of errors, sorry. Download and read the two legal documents linked below to get the real facts, detailing the charges against him and his arrest on February 27th. Bigel committed several crimes before the Jauary 9, 2021 (J9) riots against Trump supporters. He attacked Trump supporters in Santee and he tried to set a police storefront on fire. He also participated in the J9 riot and committed more crimes, He was arrested on February 27th, the first of 12 participants in the J9 riot to be charged. He was tried separately from the other J9 defendents.
The event is organized via a Facebook group called “Republicans of Pacific Beach”. After the attack on Congress on 1/6, they drew a very hostile crowd to their events, where Trump flags are displayed, merchandise is sold and a “Recall Gavin” petition can be signed.
This document below from from the court file describes the charges against Bigel. Bigel is charged with seven felonies and one misdemeanor. He is alleged to have tried to burn down a police storefront, carried an unregistered firearm and of assaulting protesters with a baseball bat, among other offenses. To make it even worse, he did all of this while he was on probation for an earlier conviction.
This is video of the event on February 27th, when a mob tore down their petition-signing stand.
Bitchute – Riot Against Trump Supporters in Pacific Beach, Ca
Fellow conservatives requested that they not link the Recall Gavin Newsom effort to pro-Trump activism, because the recall effort should-be and is bi-partisan. Having it as part of a pro-Trump event plays into the narrative promoted by Newsom supporters that the petition is backed by Trumpist, right-wing radicals. This most probably harms the recall effort more than it helps.
There are Democrats and Independents, as well as Republicans, who have problems with Newson’s severe and irrational lockdowns, destruction of small businesses/jobs and his authoritarian methods of governing. Recall Newsom signature gathering shouldn’t be a partisan event.
Bigel’s activist partner started a fund-raising and telephone campaign to try to get Bigel released from jail and charges dropped.
Bigel is not being charged with peaceful protesting, but with using violence against peaceful protesters to deny them their free speech. His bail was set so high, because he was already on probation, yet that appears not to have deterred him from committing other very serious violent crimes.
A local activist is being targeted by SDPD for their alleged actions at protests against fascists (many of whom participated in the Capitol Riot days before) in Pacific Beach. They are being held at an abnormally high bail amount & need community support.https://t.co/Fm35IKOd2w
— San Diego Socialist Rifle Association (@SanDiegoSRA) February 28, 2021
“We will know more after his arraignment on March 9th, after which I will update this post.”
I have to go to the courthouse and look at the file.
Go to the following Facebook post to see three pictures of the 3/20/21 Republican “Freedom Rally” in Pacific Beach (San Diego City) on the beach boardwalk. The 9th rally in Pacific Beach. The pictures are also posted on the Instagram and Twitter for “Republicans of Pacific Beach.”