Maxine Waters reacts to the flag-strike event outside his office this week

People chant slogans while they burn a flag of the United States. The US office of Rep. Rep. Maxine Waters, Thursday, July 19, 2018, in Los Angeles.

(AP)

Rep. Maxine Waters said that the counterproters who burned and stomped on an American flag outside his California office this week, while exercising their right to express themselves, were also acting to promote "their own agenda. . "

Waters issued a statement Saturday protesters who appeared in front of his Los Angeles office on Thursday made it despite his calls to "avoid any planned protest by a far right group, the Oath Keepers"

"Many people in the community listened to my advice and directed. There were groups of individuals who felt compelled to participate and show their support despite my request," reads in his article. declaration.

The Oath Keepers event did not materialize

Waters said that a group of non-peaceful protesters, not necessarily from his congressional district, participated in the counterprotestations "not so much in favor of me, but to obtain the". attention of the press as part of their own programs ".

At Thursday's protest, a vehicle with an American flag at the back came up and was stopped by the crowd. Some people opened the car doors while others seized the flag as the vehicle departed. The flag was then trampled and burned. Some people applauded and someone shouted: "It's not the American flag, it's their flag."

"Although I do not agree with the flag to protest, I understand that the Constitution guarantees everyone This form of free expression, "said Waters.

The Democratic legislator said that she supported no form of violence, but stands to her" respect for the Constitution. "

Waters recently angered conservatives the public to" push back "on Trump administration officials spotted in public.