NEWNAN, GA — About two dozen white nationalists affiliated with the National Socialist Movement marched to a city park in this town of 38,000 about 30 miles southwest of the Atlanta airport where they were met by more than 700 law enforcement officers representing 42 Georgia agencies. There were 10 arrests, ironically, all among the 100 or so protesters who gathered to oppose the Neo-Nazis.
Two of those arrested were from here, others from as far away as Nashville. Much was made of the town’s opposition to NSM Saturday, but it was the anti-NSM side booing police as their vehicles passed. Some also attempted to avoid the checkpoint for the designated protest area. Chants of “No hatred, no fear, immigrants are welcome here,” were mixed with “Cops and Klan go hand in hand.” And, “cops, pigs, murderers, you’re the real Nazis.”
Social media circulated an image of a confrontation between suspected members of Antifa, an anti-fascist group, and a SWAT team which told them to remove masks. Some SWAT teams were reportedly pulled into the crowd and were outnumbered so the remaining SWAT members drew their weapons. “They came here with a purpose,” Sheriff Mike Yeager said. “They came here to antagonize, take control of our community and incite fear.” After some were taken into custody, law enforcement found potential weapons including wasp spray. Police were tipped by a merchant several people were buying large quantities of the product, which can be sprayed up to 25 feet. A clear bottle with an unknown liquid was sent to a lab for analysis.
Jeff Schoep, who heads the Michigan-based National Socialist Movement, spoke against illegal immigration, removal of Confederate monuments — Newnan has several — and skinny jeans. Before him were mostly journalists. One person with Antifa ties in the journalists’ area was asked to leave. Beyond the journalists were barricades and helmeted officers with automatic weapons. There was a designated area for protesters close by. No arrests were made there.
“What gets me is the counter-protesters are complaining the NSM wasn’t arrested, but they didn’t violate the law,” Yeager said.
The large number of officers was on hand reportedly because Antifa had estimated the crowd would be 8,000 to 12,000 protesters. No injuries or damage were reported. In Georgia it is illegal to wear a mask, hood or device to conceal identity on public property except on Halloween and other such holidays. This is a 1951 anti-KKK law.
Newnan Police Chief D.L. “Buster” Meadows saw an equivalency of the neo-Nazis and the organized anti-fascists who came to protest them. “Neither one of these groups represent who we are and what we stand for.”
Perhaps the most impressive objection to the NSM outsiders, who had a permit from the city, was done by kids. Before the rally they went into Greenville Street Park, and using chalk, drew unicorns, rainbows and hearts that afforded silent protest to hate speech. It spoke volumes.
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