Police: Girl assaulted during Proposition 8 rally, two arrested

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http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_10894076
Police: Girl assaulted during Proposition 8 rally, two arrested

By Jessica Bernstein-Wax

Daily News Staff Writer
Article Launched: 11/04/2008 12:47:25 AM PST

San Mateo police said they arrested two people Monday after a fight
broke out between supporters and opponents of a controversial
proposition that would ban gay marriage in California.

The altercation occurred at about 4 p.m. at the intersection of 3rd
Avenue and Humboldt Street when between five and seven opponents of
Proposition 8, on the ballot in today's election, clashed with 10 to
15 supporters of the proposed constitutional amendment, police said in
a statement. Words were exchanged and then a Polynesian man in his 20s
wearing a white T-shirt allegedly grabbed a 17-year-old girl and
struck her in the head. Police said he was about 6 feet 2 inches tall
and 250 pounds.

A second man whom police identified as 35-year-old Ivan Schaumkel, of
San Mateo, spat in the girl's face, the statement said. A male
juvenile then allegedly punched a resident in the face who tried to
intervene.

Police arrested the juvenile and Schaumkel, both Yes on 8 supporters,
on suspicion of assault and are seeking the man who allegedly started
the fight.

, Capt. Kevin Raffaelli said.

Proposition 8 has received national attention, and people on both
sides of the issues have contributed millions of dollars to the
campaigns.