Felon with loaded gun arrested at ‘No Kings’ protest in Huntington Beach

A convicted felon with a loaded handgun was arrested at the “No Kings” protest in Huntington Beach on Saturday after threatening to knock someone out in the middle of the street, police said.

Eduardo Pineda, 25, had concealed the gun in his waistband, Huntington Beach police said in a news release on Sunday.

The confrontation happened a few blocks from the pier. Around 3:30 p.m., officers in the area of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway monitoring the demonstration observed Pineda, who was waving a Mexican flag, shouting at a pedestrian and challenging him to a fight, police said.

Officers learned that Pineda has warrants for his arrest related to previous charges of battery and vandalism. He also is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms, the release said. Police did not elaborate on his criminal record.

Pineda was arrested and booked for being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm, challenging someone to a fight in public and the outstanding warrants.

Thousands of demonstrators packed the streets near the Huntington Beach Pier on Saturday for the protest, with some clashing with supporters of President Donald Trump.

At one point, a tense standoff developed, with protesters shouting “No kings!” and “86 47,” a chant they said was a call to resist Trump but that the administration has said promotes violence.

On the other side, dozens of Trump supporters waved “Trump 2024” banners, chanting “USA! USA! USA!”

Thousands rally at ‘No Kings’ events in Southern California; LA protest turns violent