US: Far-right groups and counter-protesters clash in Georgia
The far-right groups had gathered, in part, in support of a Confederate sculpture in a nearby Stone Mountain park.
Police broke up demonstrations after far-right groups and counter-protesters clashed on Saturday [John Bazemore/The Associated Press]
Police have broken up duelling demonstrations about an enormous Confederate monument in a park near the city of Atlanta in the US state of Georgia.
Several dozen far-right demonstrators, some waving the Confederate battle flag and many wearing military gear, gathered on Saturday in central Stone Mountain, where they faced off against a few hundred counter-protesters, many of whom wore shirts or carried signs expressing support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
People in both groups carried rifles.
Far-right groups led by an Arkansas militia called Confederate States III% had applied for a permit to hold a rally in nearby Stone Mountain Park, in support a giant sculpture of Confederate leaders General Robert E Lee, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and General Thomas J "Stonewall" Jackson.
But the Stone Mountain Memorial Association denied the permit on August 4.
Amid a national reckoning about racial justice following the May 25 police killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, calls for the removal of Confederate statues and monuments have grown.
Demonstrators gathered in Stone Mountain in support of a confederate monument and faced off against a few hundred counter-protesters [File: John Bazemore/The Associated Press]
Stone Mountain Park was closed to visitors on Saturday and was set to reopen on Sunday.
With police manning barriers to keep people from entering the park, demonstrators took to the streets of the adjoining city of Stone Mountain, which on Friday had advised residents to stay home and businesses to shut down.
After several hours of mostly peaceful demonstrations, large numbers of police moved in to disperse the crowds when fights broke out just before 1pm, with people punching and kicking each other and throwing rocks.
Within an hour, almost all of the protesters had left the area.
The event was planned as a response to a march in the park by a Black militia group on July 4, in which demonstrators spoke out against the huge sculpture, which is carved into the face of a granite mountain.
The park has historically been a gathering place for white supremacists, while the city of Stone Mountain has a majority-Black population.
The clashes occurred following several hours peaceful demonstrations from both groups [File: Mike Stewart/The Associated Press]
Michigan clashes
Also on Saturday, members of the far-right Proud Boys group held a rally in Kalamazoo, Michigan with counter-protesters gathering in response.
The groups confronted each other and fistfights broke out before police arrived and ordered the crowds to disperse. A reporter for MLive.com, who was detained by police while recording live on Facebook, reported that some of the Proud Boys also used pepper spray during the clashes.
The male-only Proud Boys has been called "extremist" by the Anti-Defamation League and described as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The Proud Boys dispute those descriptions.
The face of Stone Mountain depicts three Southern Confederate figures: General Robert E Lee, General Stonewall Jackson and President Jefferson Davis [File: Leita Cowart/The Associated Press]
Police have broken up duelling demonstrations about an enormous Confederate monument in a park near the city of Atlanta in the US state of Georgia.
Several dozen far-right demonstrators, some waving the Confederate battle flag and many wearing military gear, gathered on Saturday in central Stone Mountain, where they faced off against a few hundred counter-protesters, many of whom wore shirts or carried signs expressing support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
People in both groups carried rifles.
Far-right groups led by an Arkansas militia called Confederate States III% had applied for a permit to hold a rally in nearby Stone Mountain Park, in support a giant sculpture of Confederate leaders General Robert E Lee, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and General Thomas J "Stonewall" Jackson.
But the Stone Mountain Memorial Association denied the permit on August 4.
Amid a national reckoning about racial justice following the May 25 police killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, calls for the removal of Confederate statues and monuments have grown.
Demonstrators gathered in Stone Mountain in support of a confederate monument and faced off against a few hundred counter-protesters [File: John Bazemore/The Associated Press]
Stone Mountain Park was closed to visitors on Saturday and was set to reopen on Sunday.
With police manning barriers to keep people from entering the park, demonstrators took to the streets of the adjoining city of Stone Mountain, which on Friday had advised residents to stay home and businesses to shut down.
After several hours of mostly peaceful demonstrations, large numbers of police moved in to disperse the crowds when fights broke out just before 1pm, with people punching and kicking each other and throwing rocks.
Within an hour, almost all of the protesters had left the area.
The event was planned as a response to a march in the park by a Black militia group on July 4, in which demonstrators spoke out against the huge sculpture, which is carved into the face of a granite mountain.
The park has historically been a gathering place for white supremacists, while the city of Stone Mountain has a majority-Black population.
The clashes occurred following several hours peaceful demonstrations from both groups [File: Mike Stewart/The Associated Press]
Michigan clashes
Also on Saturday, members of the far-right Proud Boys group held a rally in Kalamazoo, Michigan with counter-protesters gathering in response.
The groups confronted each other and fistfights broke out before police arrived and ordered the crowds to disperse. A reporter for MLive.com, who was detained by police while recording live on Facebook, reported that some of the Proud Boys also used pepper spray during the clashes.
The male-only Proud Boys has been called "extremist" by the Anti-Defamation League and described as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The Proud Boys dispute those descriptions.
The face of Stone Mountain depicts three Southern Confederate figures: General Robert E Lee, General Stonewall Jackson and President Jefferson Davis [File: Leita Cowart/The Associated Press]
Stone Mountain Park in Georgia closes ahead of white nationalist rally, counterprotest
A far-right group applied to hold a large rally at Stone Mountain Park, home to the largest monument to the Confederacy. The permit was denied, but some groups said they would gather anyway.
A woman argues with a far-right protester during a rally on Aug. 15, 2020, near the downtown area of Stone Mountain, Georgia.Lynsey Weatherspoon / Getty Images
Aug. 15, 2020, 9
By Minyvonne Burke
Georgia's Stone Mountain Park, known for its giant rock carvings of Confederate leaders, closed to the public Saturday over concerns about a planned white nationalist rally and counterprotest.
The city of Stone Mountain, about 25 miles northeast of Atlanta, announced the closure in a tweet on Friday.
Aug. 15, 2020, 9
By Minyvonne Burke
Georgia's Stone Mountain Park, known for its giant rock carvings of Confederate leaders, closed to the public Saturday over concerns about a planned white nationalist rally and counterprotest.
The city of Stone Mountain, about 25 miles northeast of Atlanta, announced the closure in a tweet on Friday.
"The City of Stone Mountain is anticipating and preparing for at least two opposing groups of protesters whose intentions are to demonstrate at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, August 15, 2020. Stone Mountain Park has made the decision to close the Park on this day," the city said.
Opposing groups meanwhile faced off in the city's downtown on Saturday morning, according to NBC affiliate WXIA in Atlanta. A video showed people chanting "Go home, racists, go home."
Some of the counterprotesters burned a Confederate flag, and a shoving match broke out between the two groups. But overall a larger confrontation was avoided, the outlet reported.
“Go home, racists, go home!” Members of BLM, Antifa and independents chant during protest in the town of Stone Mountain @11AliveNews pic.twitter.com/Rr75W36hrv— Maura Sirianni 11Alive (@MauraSirianni) August 15, 2020
City officials said that out of an abundance of caution it was warning residents and visitors to avoid the area and said buses in the city will be suspended.
"Every effort is being made to ensure that any demonstrations conducted within the City's limits are performed peacefully and without incident," the tweet read.
Opposing groups meanwhile faced off in the city's downtown on Saturday morning, according to NBC affiliate WXIA in Atlanta. A video showed people chanting "Go home, racists, go home."
Some of the counterprotesters burned a Confederate flag, and a shoving match broke out between the two groups. But overall a larger confrontation was avoided, the outlet reported.
“Go home, racists, go home!” Members of BLM, Antifa and independents chant during protest in the town of Stone Mountain @11AliveNews pic.twitter.com/Rr75W36hrv— Maura Sirianni 11Alive (@MauraSirianni) August 15, 2020
City officials said that out of an abundance of caution it was warning residents and visitors to avoid the area and said buses in the city will be suspended.
"Every effort is being made to ensure that any demonstrations conducted within the City's limits are performed peacefully and without incident," the tweet read.
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VIDEO Far-right groups and counter protesters face off near Stone Mountain Park in
A far-right group, Three Percenters, applied last month to hold a rally with more than 2,000 people at the park on Saturday, according to Reuters. The militia said it wanted "to defend and protect our history" and Second Amendment rights.
Officials denied the application because of violence that erupted at a similar event in 2016, Reuters reported.
30 seconds from our business. Still in Main Street & side roads. Small fights, protesting, tensions are still high... will tweet as long as we can as it permits. pic.twitter.com/Dr9mFGS6j7— Gilly Brewing Co. (@gillybrewbar) August 15, 2020
Despite this, several groups, including one called Defending Stone Mountain, said online that they would hold a rally at the park anyway and asked participants to bring U.S. and Confederate flags. An opposing group, Atlanta Antifascists, said it would hold a counterprotest.
"It has been clear for weeks that Stone Mountain tomorrow will be a focal point for white power organizing. Follow @flowerunited for tomorrow's anti-racist counter-mobilization," the group tweeted. "ALL OUT against racists and the far-Right! Spread the word!"
Stone Mountain Park is home to the largest monument to America's Civil War Confederacy, according to Reuters.
Minyvonne Burke is a breaking news reporter for NBC News
Police move in after fights break out during Georgia protest
Saturday, August 15, 2020
Photo: John Bazemore, AP
IMAGE 1 OF 17
A man falls after being hit by counter demonstrators during a protest , Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020, in Stone Mountain Village, Ga. Several dozen people waving Confederate flags, many of them wearing military ...
STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. (AP) — After several hours of mostly peaceful demonstrations Saturday in an Atlanta suburb that's home to a giant Confederate memorial, large numbers of police moved in to disperse the crowds when fights broke out.
Several dozen right-wing demonstrators, some waving the Confederate battle flag and many wearing military gear, gathered in downtown Stone Mountain where they faced off against a few hundred counterprotesters, many of whom wore shirts or carried signs expressing support for the Black Lives Matter movement. People in both groups carried rifles. For several hours, there was little visible police presence and things were largely peaceful, aside from some shoving and pushing and spirited arguments.
But just before 1 p.m., fights broke out, with people punching and kicking each other and throwing rocks. That's when police officers in riot gear moved in to disperse the crowds.
By 2 p.m., almost all of the protesters had left the area.
Right-wing groups led by an Arkansas group called Confederate States III%, had applied for a permit to hold a rally in Stone Mountain Park, where there's a giant sculpture of Confederate leaders. The event was planned as a response to a march in the park by a Black militia group on July 4.
But the Stone Mountain Memorial Association denied the permit on Aug. 4, citing a violent clash between groups in April 2016, spokesman John Bankhead said. The park closed to visitors Saturday and was set to reopen Sunday.
With police manning barriers to keep people from entering the park, demonstrators took to the streets of the adjoining city of Stone Mountain, which on Friday had advised people to stay away all day and urged residents to stay home and businesses to shut down.
The predominantly Black demonstrators on July 4 spoke out against the huge sculpture depicting Gen. Robert E. Lee, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. Carved into a granite mountain, the bas-relief sculpture is the largest Confederate monument ever crafted. The 100 to 200 protesters, many of whom carried large rifles, were peaceful.
Although the park has historically been a gathering spot for white supremacists, the adjoining city of Stone Mountain has a majority-Black population today.
The park at Stone Mountain markets itself as a family theme park rather than a shrine to the “Lost Cause” mythology that romanticizes the Confederacy as chivalrous defenders of states’ rights. It’s a popular recreation spot for many families on the east side of Atlanta, with hiking trails, a golf course, boat rentals and other attractions. The park has long been known for its laser light shows, but those have been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo: John Bazemore, AP
IMAGE 1 OF 17
A man falls after being hit by counter demonstrators during a protest , Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020, in Stone Mountain Village, Ga. Several dozen people waving Confederate flags, many of them wearing military ...
STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. (AP) — After several hours of mostly peaceful demonstrations Saturday in an Atlanta suburb that's home to a giant Confederate memorial, large numbers of police moved in to disperse the crowds when fights broke out.
Several dozen right-wing demonstrators, some waving the Confederate battle flag and many wearing military gear, gathered in downtown Stone Mountain where they faced off against a few hundred counterprotesters, many of whom wore shirts or carried signs expressing support for the Black Lives Matter movement. People in both groups carried rifles. For several hours, there was little visible police presence and things were largely peaceful, aside from some shoving and pushing and spirited arguments.
But just before 1 p.m., fights broke out, with people punching and kicking each other and throwing rocks. That's when police officers in riot gear moved in to disperse the crowds.
By 2 p.m., almost all of the protesters had left the area.
Right-wing groups led by an Arkansas group called Confederate States III%, had applied for a permit to hold a rally in Stone Mountain Park, where there's a giant sculpture of Confederate leaders. The event was planned as a response to a march in the park by a Black militia group on July 4.
But the Stone Mountain Memorial Association denied the permit on Aug. 4, citing a violent clash between groups in April 2016, spokesman John Bankhead said. The park closed to visitors Saturday and was set to reopen Sunday.
With police manning barriers to keep people from entering the park, demonstrators took to the streets of the adjoining city of Stone Mountain, which on Friday had advised people to stay away all day and urged residents to stay home and businesses to shut down.
The predominantly Black demonstrators on July 4 spoke out against the huge sculpture depicting Gen. Robert E. Lee, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. Carved into a granite mountain, the bas-relief sculpture is the largest Confederate monument ever crafted. The 100 to 200 protesters, many of whom carried large rifles, were peaceful.
Although the park has historically been a gathering spot for white supremacists, the adjoining city of Stone Mountain has a majority-Black population today.
The park at Stone Mountain markets itself as a family theme park rather than a shrine to the “Lost Cause” mythology that romanticizes the Confederacy as chivalrous defenders of states’ rights. It’s a popular recreation spot for many families on the east side of Atlanta, with hiking trails, a golf course, boat rentals and other attractions. The park has long been known for its laser light shows, but those have been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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