Social media interviewer choked, punched and stabbed by California ‘No Kings’ protesters

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A California social media interviewer was allegedly choked, punched, and stabbed in the leg by protesters at a massive anti-Donald Trump “No Kings” demonstration in downtown Los Angeles, claiming he was targeted for daring to give both sides of the political aisle a voice.

The attack allegedly unfolded Saturday near the Metropolitan Detention Center, where content creator Dante, who runs the social media account In The Streets LA, said a handful of demonstrators turned violent over his interviews with people holding opposing political beliefs, according to FOX 11.

Dante, who has spent more than a year documenting protests, said he was punched in the jaw, placed in a chokehold and stabbed in the leg during the frightening confrontation.

His injuries required medical attention, but the independent interviewer said the physical pain wasn’t what bothered him most.

“Anything physical can harm us. Pain is temporary, and we’ve all been hurt before,” Dante told the outlet. “But as I looked around, I saw press members turning a blind eye to what was happening to me.”

The alleged assault came as demonstrators descended on downtown LA Saturday for the latest “No Kings” protest, part of a nationwide movement opposing President Trump’s administration.

The Los Angeles rally kicked off around 1 p.m. at Gloria Molina Grand Park near City Hall and wrapped up around 5 p.m., with demonstrators protesting federal immigration enforcement and encouraging voter turnout ahead of November’s midterm elections.

But what was supposed to be a demonstration against government overreach allegedly took a violent turn for Dante, who believes some protesters took issue with his willingness to interview conservatives.

The social media creator said roughly 80% of his content features liberal-leaning perspectives, but he has also interviewed MAGA supporters, Zionists and others across the political spectrum.

That apparently didn’t sit well with everyone.

Dante claimed protesters accused him of “snitch-jacketing,” a tactic in which someone is branded a police informant or snitch, potentially putting them in danger.

“It’s when they call you a snitch and say that you’re a police informant when you’re really just there for your own reasons,” he explained.

Despite the alleged beating and stabbing, Dante insisted he still supports the broader protest movement, but blasted those he believes are exploiting it to intimidate others. 

“I’m for the movement,” Dante said. “I’m just not for people hijacking things and using oppression to fight oppression, which is totally backwards.”

The controversy didn’t end with the alleged attack.

In a fiery Instagram post Tuesday, Dante accused FOX 11 of leaving out crucial details from his account and portraying him as a social media activist betrayed by fellow demonstrators.

“@foxla covered my stabbing but left out 80% of what I said to make a story about me being betrayed,” he wrote.

Dante said the report failed to identify the organization he alleged his attackers belonged to and omitted much of his message about bringing people together despite political differences.

“I’ve interviewed MAGA supporters and people on all sides because I don’t believe anyone should be hated for their racial, religious, or political background,” he wrote.

He also accused Fox 11 of twisting his explanation of snitch-jacketing.

“But I told my story and I stand by it. I’ll be back out there once I recover,” he vowed.

No arrests have been reported in connection with the alleged assault.

The Los Angeles Police Department told The California Post that no information was available at this time and that officials were looking into the incident.

The identities and affiliations of the alleged attackers have not been independently confirmed.

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