A man identified by Minneapolis police as William Nicholas Love gained online attention after a person dressed in a Spider-Man costume was seen confronting far-right activist Jake Lang during a chaotic rally outside Minneapolis City Hall. Videos from August 22 show the Spider-Man-clad individual perched on the back of a pickup truck associated with Lang, seemingly striking him amid clashes between supporters and counterprotesters. The Minneapolis Police Department identified Love as the person in the costume and confirmed his arrest for alleged assault while he was dressed in the costume.
Details of the Rally and Confrontation
The confrontation occurred outside Minneapolis City Hall, where Lang, a conservative activist and pardoned January 6 participant, planned a “peaceful freedom of speech rally.” However, the event attracted a significantly larger counterprotest crowd.
Minneapolis police noted that they had been aware of the demonstration for weeks and had created an incident plan incorporating barriers to separate demonstrators from vehicle traffic. Lang arrived around 11:50 a.m. with six associates in two vehicles, which drove onto the sidewalk adjacent to City Hall leading to a near-immediate conflict between those connected to the vehicles and the gathered crowd. Police reported chemical irritants deployed and officers hit by objects thrown while attempting to disperse the area. Officers swiftly encircled the vehicles, aiming to move them away from the crowd following the outbreak of the confrontation.
Online videos depict a person in a full Spider-Man costume climbing onto the back of a pickup truck, engaged in a bodily conflict involving Lang. The individual was eventually pulled away and detained by officers.
Profile of William Nicholas Love
William Nicholas Love, aged 33, was among 11 individuals arrested outside City Hall during the disturbances. He was specifically arrested for assault on August 22 and has since been released from custody.
Speculation linking Love to the Spider-Man costume grew with the emergence of multiple fundraising campaigns on GoFundMe. Ash Chudgar initiated a campaign titled “Support Spider-Man’s Legal Defense,” stating, “I am raising funds for Spider-Man, a Minneapolis antifascist superhero!” Chudgar claims Lang, described as a “Nazi provocateur,” was confronted by community members, including Love, on August 22. Chudgar affirmed communication with Love’s family, ensuring donations will reach him directly. As of publication, contributions surpassed $32,000.
A second GoFundMe by Keyssy Ayala Castro Figueroa features various weekend photos of Spider-Man and Love’s mugshot, raising over $10,000. In it, Love referred to himself as Minnesota’s ‘Spider-Man,’ seeking help after the downtown Minneapolis incident on August 22, explaining his jump onto the moving truck aimed to protect surrounding people. Love disclosed he was injured during the incident, impacting his health and future.
Background on Jake Lang
Edward Jacob Lang, 31, is a conservative activist and pardoned January 6 participant who has amassed a substantial online following primarily focusing on the Capitol riot and the criminal justice system. Last month, he took to social media, announcing his return to City Hall for a “peaceful Freedom of Speech” rally.
Lang’s presence in Minneapolis received notable opposition from counterprotesters, with local reports noting fewer than a dozen attending Lang’s rally while a significantly larger crowd gathered to protest outside City Hall.
Arrests Following Confrontation
The police arrested 11 individuals connected to the Minneapolis City Hall events during the weekend.
After the confrontation, Lang, along with seven others associated with his group, was arrested following the police halt of two linked vehicles. Lang faced probable cause riot allegations with later attendance at a hospital for non-life-threatening injury treatment unrelated to the arrest before jail booking.
Four additional individuals, including Love, were detained near City Hall—Love specifically for assault. Three officers reported non-life-threatening injuries during the unrest, the police confirmed.
Authorities are examining evidence, including video footage, and additional arrests or charges may ensue, police stated following a report of assault in front of City Hall.
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