Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) has responded to a fight that erupted at an event she hosted Sunday afternoon in her district.
"At our town halls, we take steps … so that we hear all voices, not just the loudest ones," Porter said in a statement Monday. "It is disappointing that a small but vocal group of attendees, who advertised a 'confrontation rally,' created unsafe conditions at a planned family-friendly event."
Hecklers began screaming obscenities shortly after Porter kicked off the Policy in the Park event in Irvine, according to the Los Angeles Times, which first reported the incident. The tension between attendees and protesters escalated to throwing blows. Porter immediately ran to protect an older woman caught in the scuffle, the Times said.
Porter blamed protesters who support former President Donald Trump. She alleged the group plotted to cause a commotion.
Nick Taurus, a man who said he wants to run against Porter as a far-right candidate in the midterm elections, posted to Instagram before the event telling supporters to "CONFRONT KATIE PORTER!"
In a video posted to Instagram late Sunday, Taurus acknowledged "heckling and hassling" Porter for not taking his questions, claiming to have done so at the behest of a local GOP chapter. But Taurus claimed Porter's supporters attacked him and his group.
"We have to make these people squirm," he said in the video. His campaign "is ready to wage war," he wrote on Instagram.
"It got heated and punches were thrown," the Irvine Police Department said in a statement. Police arrested, cited and released a "suspect" responsible for the assault.
"While I absolutely respect their right to disagree, their disturbance disrespected all the families who attended and were ready to engage in a thoughtful, civil and safe way," Porter elaborated in her statement, promising to continue holding town halls despite the scuffle.
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