𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗛: SMPD Investigates Assault at Santa Monica Pier as Hate Crime

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SANTA MONICA — On Sunday, August 31, 2025, at approximately 5:30 p.m., Santa Monica Police officers responded to a violent incident during a pro-Gaza demonstration at Palisades Park that extended to the Santa Monica Pier. According to police, a man was surrounded, assaulted, and singled out because of his religious identity. The Santa Monica Fire Department treated the victim at the scene for minor injuries before he was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. SMPD confirmed that detectives are investigating the incident as a hate crime, citing statements and circumstances reported at the scene. Officers also responded to several disturbances between pro-Palestine demonstrators and pro-Israel counter-protesters. Police quickly set up a line to separate the groups. The pro-Israel demonstrators were escorted from the area while the pro-Palestine rally continued at the pier entrance. A portion of Ocean Avenue was temporarily closed to allow emergency response and maintain public safety. In a statement, SMPD said: “We are deeply troubled by an act of violence that took place on the Pier Sunday evening… This kind of hate has no place in Santa Monica. SMPD condemns all forms of hate and antisemitism. Hatred, intimidation, and violence will not be tolerated in our community. Everyone who lives, works, and visits Santa Monica deserves to feel safe.” The investigation remains active. Detectives are reviewing video, pursuing leads, and working with regional law enforcement partners. Anyone with information or footage is urged to contact SMPD’s Criminal Investigations Division or the Watch Commander at (310) 458-8427. Santa Monica Closeup will continue to monitor this developing story. #SantaMonica #SantaMonicaPier #Protest #Police #Palestine — 𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗬𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 This video is protected by copyright and provided for personal viewing only. Any copying, downloading, re-uploading, reproduction, distribution, sampling, or other use, including commercial or editorial use, without prior written authorization from Santa Monica Closeup is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. © 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗙𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘄𝗸𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗰𝘇 / 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱. — 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥 Fabian Lewkowicz is an award-winning photojournalist based in Santa Monica and the creator of 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. Known for his compelling imagery and neutral reporting, his work captures the pulse of the city—from civic affairs and emergency response to cultural moments and beach life. His photography has been showcased in galleries, museums, and public installations. — 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗨𝗣 PayPal 👉 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz Venmo 👉 https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup — 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗨𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘 Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/santamonicacloseup Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/SantaMonicaCloseup Twitter 👉 https://www.twitter.com/smcloseup — 𝗕𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗔 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗞𝗦 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqrlnKSQlVU42TEn_-PAtWw/join — 𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 & 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗜𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 Email 👉 [email protected] — 𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗦: Photojournalism, Visual Journalism, Street Reporting, Documentary, Observational Photography, Press Photography, Independent Media, Southern California News, SMCU, SM©U