Small Georgia town protests neo-Nazi rally

Latest

Local townspeople and various groups objected to the Nazi presence in a small Georgia town. Signs said “We will not be silent;” “Black Lives Matter;” “Take your Hate Elsewhere;” and “Community is strong.”
PHOTOS/JOHN RAMSPOTT

 
Neo-Nazis, led by the National Socialist Movement (NSM) out of Michigan, held a white supremacist rally in the small Georgia town of Newnan on April 21. The number of Nazis was around 30 or so. The counter-protestors had over a 100 people. But by far the largest group were police officers, numbering in the hundreds. Estimates range from 400 to 700 police officers of various types. Barricades were everywhere in the area of the rally, with a tall fence put around Greenville City Park, where the rally was held. It truly looked like a police state. There were all sorts of heavily armored vehicles and police in riot gear. The number of police was enormous—it felt like a true police state. Even reporters with press passes (like me) were limited as to where they could go. Only people approved by the Nazis were allowed into the park itself. The rest of us were relegated to the same area as the counter-protesters, who were heavily searched before being in the area where they were permitted. Blocking off roads with really big trucks and having a police presence was a good idea. Some barriers were a good idea too. But the severe restriction of movement and not allowing us to get good photographs of the Nazis was over the top. Also, all those armored vehicles driving around was just plain wacky. There is a difference between police presence and police state, and this went way towards a police state.
Counter-protestors consisted of local townspeople objecting to the Nazi presence, Antifa and #BlackLivesMatter. Also, the motorcycle riders were part of a Jewish motorcycle club. While they may look like “bad dudes,” here they were against the Nazis.
The police arrested people for no real reason. A young Latino man “walking while Hispanic” was arrested. He was walking in the street in front of me (past a parked vehicle and crowd of people on the sidewalk) when an officer yelled at us to get back on the sidewalk. José immediately started walking towards the sidewalk, but the officer yelled to another officer to arrest him anyway. Once I passed the car, I got on to the sidewalk, but nobody tried to arrest me (an old white man with a camera and press pass). At the time, there was no traffic on the road but a lot of parked and armored police vehicles.
 

Local townspeople and various groups objected to the Nazi presence in a small Georgia town.
PHOTOS/JOHN RAMSPOTT
+ Articles by this author

The People’s Tribune opens its pages to voices of the movement for change. Our articles are written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Articles entitled “From the Editors” reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: peoplestribune.orgPlease donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement for change. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff. The People’s Tribune is a 501C4 organization.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

‘Jesus Is Being Tear Gassed At Broadview’

The struggle to close the Broadview ICE facility in Chicago includes clergy who are part of a movement of religious leaders opposed to the assault on immigrants.

No Kings Rallies Show the Fight Is On!

No Kings Day showed the rising awareness of people to how dangerous the situation is, that everyone’s rights, living standards, and democracy itself is in danger. Millions are mobilizing in diverse ways to confront the situation.

Fragile Ceasefire Victory and the Role of the Global Movement

In 2024, 125 nations of the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister. This and countless other unprecedented acts of resistance took place against a “war” that revealed itself daily as outright genocide. The world’s people expressed their common humanity through actions and voices...sustaining this epic unity for the battles that lie ahead is critical for real peace..."

“No Kings” Protests Set to Sweep US Even as Trump Increases Attacks on Activists

Republicans are already smearing the protesters, but their intimidation tactics are out of touch with reality.

ICE Fears Put Pregnant Immigrants and Their Babies at Risk

Fear of deportation is deterring people without permanent legal status from critical care. Doctors are worried for the health of pregnant immigrants, and the health of their pregnancies. This story was originally reported by 19thnews.org.

More from the People's Tribune