Face of Nation : WASHINGTON — Members of the Proud Boys, an extremist group with ties to white nationalism, arrived at Freedom Plaza and Pershing Park Saturday morning to protest what they contend is an anti-conservative bias on social media.
The Demand Free Speech rally, organized by the a self-proclaimed “chauvinistic men’s group,” numbered around 200.
But they were outnumbered by counter-protesters.More people gathered under trees in Pershing Park, listening to the activists from the other sidespeak about transgender rights and violence against transgender people.
A heavy contingent of police blocked off roads and guarded the barricades separating the two camps.
Jeff Myers, 66, met his adult daughter at the counter-protest to encourage tolerance, he said.
Patricia James, 59, came from Anaheim, California, for the “Salute To America” program from President Donald Trump on July 4th, and for the Demand Free Speech rally. She said she is here to defend the First Amendment and was live-streaming the rally and counter-protestors to her Facebook, she said.
“I have no idea why they would protest freedom of speech,” James said. “The only countries that don’t allow freedom of speech are socialist, communist countries. If anybody wants that, like those people over there, they can go live in those countries and see what happens.”
The Proud Boys made news in D.C. earlier this week, as well. On Thursday, a group of Proud Boys protested an American flag burning in front of the White House. It ended in a scuffle that earned national attention. The Southern Poverty Law Center classifies Proud Boys as a hate group.
Although the police presence was heavy, protests remained peaceful as of noon.
Last weekend, they came head-to-head with anti-fascists or antifa in demonstrations in Portland, Oregon. The confrontation left eight people injured, including at least three law enforcement officers, and prominent conservative writer Andy Ngo. Ngo was attacked while live-streaming the event to his Twitter followers.
A handful of people dressed like antifa, wearing all black, helmets and with their faces covered, were at the D.C. event.
“I was concerned about violence, but not about a beating,” Ngo said in an interview with USA TODAY on Friday. He said he has suffered a brain bleed and is laying low at the recommendation of his doctor.
Ngo did not attend the rallies in D.C., but he expressed concern Friday about people who may be upset about what happened to him going out to incite violence.
The United States Park Police has jurisdiction over Freedom Plaza and the National Mall and has long been aware of the rallies being planned. Prior to Saturday’s events, Sgt. Eduardo Delgado said police were prepared, but not concerned with any threats.
