Man arrested for charging at people before Hollywood street name vote

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – The city of Hollywood braced for protests Wednesday ahead of commissioners deciding whether to change the name of streets honoring Confederate leaders.

A man who was the sole counter protester against renaming the street signs was arrested ahead of the meeting after jabbing a flag, that was half Confederate and half something else, at people.

A woman called Christopher Rey Monzon, 22, a "racist piece of s***" as he was taken to the ground and handcuffed by police. 

***WARNING: Video contains graphic language 

Just moments before his arrest, Monzon told Local 10 News that he was against violence.

"The current events, like the violence instigated by these communist individuals who seek to silence us through means of violence and coercion, they have kept them away from here, but they will not intimidate me," Monzon said. 

Monzon faces charges of aggravated assault, inciting a riot and disorderly conduct.

"This is a very organized protest," John Marese, who supports the street renaming, said. "There's pastors here, there's community leaders, there's pregnant women. These are people that are like you and me -- that are peaceful."  

Carlos Valnera, of Black Lives Matter Broward, started the push to rename the streets two years ago.

"We are going to be chanting, the pastors are going to be making speeches, others making speeches -- it's going to be beautiful. It's going to be a civil rights movement right here in Hollywood," Valnera said. 

Some Hollywood residents and others are in favor of having the Lee, Hood and Forrest streets in the city of Hollywood changed, because they each bear the names of Confederate generals.

Nathan Forrest was also one of the founders of the Ku Klux Klan.

"These symbols need to come down. These symbols of hate cannot be in our community and, more importantly, they shouldn't be on public grounds and sustained by public dollars," Valnera said.

Commissioners gave initial approval in July to change the street names.

If given final approval, possible new names are Louisville, Macon and Savannah streets.

"It's pretty funny when you consider Savannah was one of the largest slave ports in the south, so now you can find fault anywhere you want to go," Sandy Mendez, who is against re-naming the streets, said. "I just really have a problem with this constant need to kowtow to different groups and political pressure. What's next, Coral Gables?"

The city and police department have worked together to make sure everyone coming to City Hall on Wednesday for the debate stays safe.

"Based on events around the country, we did want to take every precaution, and so, we are prepared for a large crowd of people," Hollywood spokeswoman Raelin Storey said.

Wednesday's commission meeting begins at 1 p.m. but this topic will be discussed at 4 p.m.

Anyone wishing to speak inside will have that chance after signing up.

Local 10 News reporter Liane Morejon contributed to this report.