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Trump supporters fight with Bradshaw supporters at the State Road 7 intersection
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Trump supporters fight with Bradshaw supporters at the State Road 7 intersection

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an altercation Monday between supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and supporters of Democratic Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, who is running for re-election.

The videotaped incident also appeared on social media, prompting a Facebook post from a Trump supporter accusing members of the Police Benevolent Association of acting like Antifa, a network of far-left militants who have participated in violent demonstrations.

PBSO was not immediately able to provide any information about the incident, which occurred the day before Election Day, but multiple sources said it was being investigated.

Supporters of the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association for Sheriff Ric Bradshaw clashed with Trump supporters at State Road 7 and Okeechobee Boulevard on Monday afternoon.Supporters of the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association for Sheriff Ric Bradshaw clashed with Trump supporters at State Road 7 and Okeechobee Boulevard on Monday afternoon.

Supporters of the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association for Sheriff Ric Bradshaw clashed with Trump supporters at State Road 7 and Okeechobee Boulevard on Monday afternoon.

The PBA endorsed Bradshaw and also supported him financially. Chairman John Kazanjian said the incident was instigated by supporters of Republican sheriff candidate Michael Gauger.

Kazanjian said, “These were Gauger supporters disguised as Trump supporters. One of them was very aggressive towards an off-duty MP and a brawl broke out. PBSO is investigating this and I’m sure the MP will be cleared.”

Gauger called Kazanjian’s claim that his supporters incited the fight “ridiculous.”

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On Monday, PBA members arrived at the corner of State Road 7 and Okeechobee Boulevard, the same spot where Trump supporters have been rallying for the past six months. Lonnie Weinberg, one of Trump’s organizers, said he hit a lawmaker in the face while trying to break up a fight.

“I was very little pastured,” Weinberg said, “but there was no reason for that to happen. We were in the same spot 20-plus times and then all of a sudden these people (Bradshaw supporters) showed up. They (the PBA) had a bad apple that was very aggressive. “

Weinberg noted that the man involved in the fight with the deputy was wearing a Trump shirt and carrying a Trump flag. Weinberg, who said that if he were a Gauger supporter, he would wear a Gauger shirt, stated that he opposed the claim that all of these people were Gauger fans.

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“We have nothing against PBSO,” he said. “We support law enforcement, but what happened on Monday was completely wrong.”

Trump supporter Robert Fix, who was also at the congress, shared on Facebook that Trump people did not invite PBA-Bradshaw people to the Trump rally. Kazanjian said the PBA has as much right to be in the area as Trump’s.

Fix said PBSO off-duty aide attacked Trump supporter.

Mike Diamond is a journalist. Palm Beach PostPart of the USA TODAY Florida Network. Covers issues affecting Palm Beach County government and homeowners associations. You can reach him at: [email protected]. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.

This article was first published in the Palm Beach Post: Trump supporters fight with sheriff’s supporters in Palm Beach County