Dallas police detained a man at the No Kings protest in downtown Dallas Saturday afternoon after an incident, a video captured by a Dallas Morning News staff photographer shows.
The video shows two Dallas police officers holding the man, wearing a hat and shades, with half of his face covered in a mask, against a wall on the side of the street.
Dallas police spokesperson Corbin Rubinson confirmed one person was detained but did not provide more details.
Billy Bowers, 62, said he attended Saturday’s No Kings protest as a way to show up and speak against the direction of the country under the Trump administration.
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As he and others marched down South Ervay Street, the group was confronted by counter-protesters.
“He was trying to incite people to get mad,” Bowers said.
A man who wore a mask had appeared alongside conservative influencer Alex Stein. The counter-protesters chanted back at the protesters, saying it was their day and they had a right to be there as well, Bowers said.
Police escorts at the front of the No Kings protest quickly surrounded and separated the groups.
Bowers said a fight started after one of the counter-protesters pushed someone, which led to a shoving match and then fist-flying. The masked man hit Bowers in the face, as well as two other men, he said.
“He got me in front of a cop,” Bowers said. “That’s why he got arrested.”
Dallas police then pushed the masked man against a wall and put him in handcuffs as the protest continued down Ervay and the counter-protesters left.
A photo captured by a Dallas Morning News staff photographer shows the man wearing what looks like a law enforcement badge. It is unclear whether he is associated with any law enforcement agency.
A bright blue and red Trump 2024 flag waved in high wind in front of police as they escorted protesters downtown.
Police presence increased as protesters moved along Elm Street toward the heart of downtown. Several patrol cars lined the street, their red lights flashing, as demonstrators passed by chanting, “This is what democracy looks like.”
This is a developing story.