Protesters in KKK brawl released from jail pending charges

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Ku Klux Klan members and counter-protesters involved in a bloody melee at a Southern California park have been released from jail without criminal charges, authorities said Thursday.

It is possible they could be arrested again because prosecutors asked for more time to review video footage, photos and other evidence from the weekend clash in which three people were stabbed, Anaheim police Sgt. Daron Wyatt said.

Twelve people were arrested and one turned himself in following Saturday’s brawl involving several dozen people and spanning a city block about 3 miles from Disneyland. All have been released, except for a 19-year-old man who remained in custody on a matter not related to the brawl, Wyatt said.

Several counter-protesters were seen beating, stomping and attacking the Klansmen with wooden posts after the group gathered for an anti-immigration rally, officials said.

Police said the Klansmen stabbed three counter-protesters. Five KKK members arrested after the brawl were released soon after because an initial investigation showed they acted in self-defense, police said.

It is unclear when all those who were arrested left jail, but three remaining counter-protesters walked free Tuesday, Wyatt said.

Some 300 people took part in a candlelight vigil and “peace protest” Monday night in the same park that organizers said was to show that Anaheim is a tolerant city.