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Far-Right Figure Kyle 'Based Stickman' Chapman Banned From Berkeley Rally

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Kyle Chapman at a protest in Berkeley on April 15, 2017.  (Bert Johnson/KQED)

Kyle Chapman — the self-proclaimed nationalist known as “Based Stickman” — will not be allowed to attend a far-right rally at Berkeley's Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Plaza on Sunday. The 42-year-old white supremacist was arraigned Friday for felony possession of a billy club and is being held on $135,000 bail after being arrested in Berkeley at a pro-Trump rally on March 4, 2017, that turned violent.

Even if Chapman does post bail, the judge ruled that he has to stay 300 yards away from Sunday’s "No to Marxism" rally in Berkeley. That rally was denied a permit request yesterday by the city of Berkeley.

Chapman was identified as one of the people causing the violence at the March rally in Berkeley, according to the probable cause declaration written by Berkeley police Officer Darrin Rafferty.

"He was swinging what appeared to be a wooden stick at many people," the officer wrote.

Rafferty wrote that Chapman also appeared to spray counterprotesters with pepper spray.

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If found guilty, Chapman could face prison time. He was convicted of grand theft in 2001 and robbery in 1993, according to court documents.

Kyle "Based Stickman" Chapman was booked into Santa Rita Jail on August 25, 2017.
Kyle "Based Stickman" Chapman was booked into Santa Rita Jail on August 25, 2017. (Alameda County Sheriff's Department)

Chapman, who lives in Daly City, raises money to travel to right-wing rallies around the country. Chapman got the nickname "Based Stickman" after a video of him hitting a Berkeley protester with a stick went viral.

He spoke at the recent "Free Speech" rally in Boston.

"These funds will be used for the living and traveling expenses to attend counter protest rallies, fighting back against the thugs that continue to try and take our rights away," Chapman writes on his fundraising page.

Chapman's attorney, John Noonan, said he didn’t know if his client would be able to raise bail money in time to attend tomorrow’s rally at Crissy Field, which was not covered by the judge's ruling.

"Well, I don’t know if he can [afford it] or not," Noonan said. "But he can post it any time, as you heard the judge."

"I'll be arraigned in court tomorrow for 1 felony count of possessing a Billy club," Chapman wrote on Facebook yesterday. "Oakland superior court 9am. If found guilty, with prior enhancements I'm looking a good chunk of time. Regardless, I will be attending the SF and Berekley (sic)  rallies. Never surrender."

The judge said Chapman is barred from carrying weapons of any kind, including pepper spray.

Read the complaint below.

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