Left-wing extremists and Antifa militants stormed the Precious Blood Catholic Church in Los Angeles on Saturday, August 23, where right-wing activist and free speech advocate Eoin Richard was hosting a peaceful free speech, anti-Islam rally.
The confrontation unfolded after Connolly, known publicly as Eoin Richard, organized a “Take Back LA” free-speech rally criticizing Islam.
Connolly originally advertised the August 23 demonstration outside the Islamic Center of Southern California on Vermont Avenue.
Free Speech Rally. This Sunday at 1 PM. LOS ANGELES. pic.twitter.com/hlm1xnfUQu
— Eoin Richard (@eoinrichardUS) August 21, 2026
A pre-event advisory circulated by opponents described the gathering as a “far-right” rally and accused its organizers of targeting the Muslim community.
As counter-protesters gathered outside the Islamic center, Connolly reportedly redirected supporters to the nearby Precious Blood Catholic Church in Koreatown.
But the mob followed him.
According to journalist Andy Ngo, left-wing extremists and Antifa activists stormed the church, disrupted the gathering, and chased Connolly from the property.
Footage from the confrontation shows counter-protesters surrounding Connolly and repeatedly branding him a “Nazi,” the far left’s favorite label for anyone it believes should be silenced, intimidated, or physically attacked.
Connolly eventually sought refuge inside a nearby Starbucks, but the mob followed him into the business and surrounded the table where he and another man were seated.
Video circulating on social media shows blue paint being dumped over Connolly and his companion as counter-protesters crowd around them.
WATCH:
Los Angeles, Calif. (Aug. 23) — Left-wing extremists and Antifa stormed the Precious Blood Catholic Church, where right-wing activist Eoin Richard was hosting a free speech, anti-Islam rally. Counter-protesters chased him from the church and into a Starbucks. They assaulted him… pic.twitter.com/nya52ytNY2
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) August 24, 2026
The Gateway Pundit has previously reported on similar confrontations involving activists who publicly criticize Islam.
Earlier this month, The Gateway Pundit reported that Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin urged residents to stay home ahead of an anti-Islam demonstration and City Council meeting. That report also noted that activist Jake Lang had recently been attacked during Dearborn’s massive Arbaeen procession.
The Gateway Pundit later covered Detroit pastor Lorenzo Sewell’s explosive confrontation with the Dearborn City Council, during which Sewell challenged city officials to condemn Sharia law.
The disturbing Los Angeles confrontation also comes after the Trump administration unveiled a counterterrorism strategy targeting violent left-wing extremists, a threat the Biden regime and its media allies spent years downplaying or denying.
Jim Hᴏft is the founder and editor of The Gateway Pundit, one of the top conservative news outlets in America. Jim was awarded the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award in 2013 and is the proud recipient of the Breitbart Award for Excellence in Online Journalism from the Americans for Prosperity Foundation in May 2016.
You can email Jim Hᴏft here, and read more of Jim Hᴏft’s articles here.
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