Antifa 'commander' Matthew Banta cried in 'fetal position' after getting caught with explosives ahead of protest
A Wisconsin man was arrested in Green Bay after he was found in possession of a flamethrower, smoke grenades and fireworks over the weekend.
The authorities have revealed that the man is likely connected to Antifa. Matthew Banta, 23, is known "to be a violent Antifa member who incites violence in otherwise relatively peaceful protests," WBAY reports citing a criminal complaint. The police also shared that Banta is also known as 'Commander Red'. Green Bay police said they were called for "a whole bunch of White people with sticks, baseball bats and helmets headed... towards the police" on Walnut Street near Webster Ave. According to a responding officer, he witnessed four individuals walking towards a protest carrying baseball bats.
One of the men was carrying an Antifa flag and wearing a metal helmet with goggles and military-style gear. The officer pulled his car up to the group who then fled the scene. The officer was able to catch Banta, who was carrying the flag. However, the officer said that Banta "dropped into the fetal position and began crying". He also tried to accuse the officer of lying on him, to which the officer replied saying nobody was on him. Banta had admitted that he was heading to the Green Bay protest but denied that he planned to incite a riot.
The authorities said that a Brown County Court Commissioner had set a $2500 cash bond when he made his first appearance in court on August 31. Green Bay Police Chief Andrew Smith said, "I don't know who comes to a protest with a baseball bat for anything other than criminal or illegal activity. It's worrisome when people associated with Antifa come here to Green Bay from out of town for the purpose of protesting here or for the purposes of committing violent acts."
In a previous incident, Banta was accused and charged with pointing a loaded gun at a police officer and also biting and kicking an officer during a protest that took place in Waupaca County on August 1. As reported by WBAY, a criminal complaint had been filed against Banta. He was charged with second degree recklessly endangering safety, use of a dangerous weapon, battery to a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer and disorderly conduct.
A Waupaca County police officer revealed that he had responded to the Waupaca Library parking lot to speak to a bunch of protesters who had gathered there. As per the complaint, five people were carrying long guns. The officer asked them to stay out of the streets to avoid blocking traffic. Some 40 minutes later, the officer was told that 30 of them were marching down the middle of the street and the officer again asked them to move off the streets. After many warnings, the officer asked protesters for their identification but they refused.
That's when Banta stepped in and said, "Is that what you call protecting and serving?" After an argument broke out, the officer tried to reach for Banta's left arm to arrest him. That is when Banta raised the gun at the officer. The officer who feared for his life, grabbed Banta and threw him to the ground and held him there. When Banta tried to seemingly fumble around for his gun, which was under him, the officer tried to hold his hand and this is when Banta bit the officer in the right forearm, the complaint revealed.