WESTMINSTER, Calif. -- A Westminster man identified as an organizer of a long-running protest against a Vietnamese-language newspaper in Little Saigon was arrested Thursday for allegedly striking a reporter.

Trong Doan, 59, was taken into custody at his home on suspicion of assault and battery, and was expected to be booked at the Orange County Jail with a bail amount of $5,500, said Westminster police Sgt. Dan Schoonmaker.

The alleged attack took place outside the offices of Nguoi Viet Newspaper, in the 14700 block of Moran Street, at the end of January, but was not reported until police met with the publication's personnel in March regarding ongoing protests and learned about "a number of crimes" that remain under investigation, Schoonmaker said.

The protests began in February, when the newspaper published a photo that showed a foot spa bearing the red and yellow colors of the South Vietnamese flag.

The newspaper took a number of steps to appease members of the community -- many of whom remain strongly anti-communist -- who were offended by the use of the flag colors in the piece that was part of an art exhibit.

Many people were satisfied with the paper's response, Schoonmaker said, but a core number of individuals have continued protests. Schoonmaker said Doan is one of two people believed to be organizers.

Fifteen to 20 people are on hand to protest on any particular day of the week, Schoonmaker said, with the numbers on some weekends reaching 100 to 150.

The sergeant said he does not know what the demonstrators want, but the tactics are "very contrary to the well-intentioned demonstrations" that typically take place in the very active community.

"It's really turned into more of a disturbance or criminal activity," Schoonmaker said.

Other alleged incidents regarding the protesters are under investigation, and there could be more arrests, Schoonmaker said.

People who work at the newspaper were reluctant to report the alleged assault because "they were hesitant to make" the situation worse, Schoonmaker said. When police met with the news employees, "there were actually a number of crimes discovered," he said, noting that the alleged assault on the reporter was the first case sent on to the district attorney.

The reporter, whose name was not released, "was struck in the upper body. It definitely was a strike," he said.

The reporter did not need medical aid, the sergeant said.

The protesters were uncooperative, but the alleged attack was captured on video, Schoonmaker said.