By Kathy Chouteau
Richmond’s Point Molate was the scene of “some type of cult” or “activist” gatherings over the weekend, police said.
At about 9:30 p.m. Friday, Richmond police responded to the area upon reports of an Antifa (anti-fascist) gathering. Officers directed a group of 50 people dressed in black attire to leave due to them trespassing on City of Richmond property, according to RPD Captain Al Walle. The group, which had arrived via a party bus, broke up without incident, according to the captain.
Several hours later at 1:30 a.m., according to Walle, RPD officers received a report of another gathering and returned to Point Molate. A group of 60 people were detained inside a dock building, however it wasn’t for an Antifa gathering but rather for “some type of cult gathering,” Walle said.
The group was listening to recordings about climate change and Mother Earth while assembled around a 4 foot model of a vagina, Walle said. They were identified, warned for trespassing and escorted out of Point Molate.
At this time, it is not known what group or groups are affiliated with the Point Molate gatherings and no arrests have been made.
“It appeared the event was well-organized and the group may have had the props and accessories previously staged,” Richmond police spokesperson Sgt. Aaron Pomeroy said. “This incident is still under investigation and detectives will look further into the group’s actions, intentions and possible targets within the City of Richmond.”
Prior to this past weekend’s gatherings, the Point Molate shoreline—located near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge—has been the subject of controversy over plans to develop the city site, which was occupied by a U.S. Navy fuel storage and transfer facility from 1942 until 1995.
