Ku Klux Klan, New Black Panthers, Black Lives Matter activists and
white supremacists came to blows on Saturday afternoon during the KKK's
rally to protest the removal of the Confederate Flag from South
Carolina's state grounds.
According to BuzzFeed, the Klan prepared to take a stand at the state
grounds one week after Governor Nikki Haley announced the flag would be
removed. Information about the rally spread quickly on social media,
with New Black Panther and BLM members calling for a peaceful gathering
on equality nearby. Contrary to reports, people of all races joined the
New Black Panthers and BLM demanding justice outside of the state
capitol.
White supremacists and Ku Klux Klan members were seen waving huge
confederate flags and wearing t-shirts covered in swastikas and slogans
like "You wouldn't understand, it's a white thing." Several fights broke
out between the groups as cops tried to keep them separate. Five people
were arrested during the demonstration and several injured.
Members of the KKK ranged from a South Carolina chapter to members
from Kentucky. When asked about the meaning behind the demonstration,
members stated it was about tradition and not hate. The battle flag was
initially a symbol for the Confederate Army during The Civil War, but
later became the rebel flag for the Klan. They also said the actions of
Charleston gunman Dylann Roof shouldn't reflect the image of the
Confederate Flag. Roof killed nine black church members during a bible
study session.
A white supremacist who didn't give him name to reporters claimed
they were in South Carolina to start a "white revolution." "We will wipe
your history from America," he said about the removal of the flag. "A
white revolution is the only solution". He also went on spew out racial
slurs and call African American protesters monkeys.
Meanwhile, anti-white supremacist protesters were seen burning flags
and calling for justice. People claimed African American protestors were
randomly attacking people, but others have stated they were threatened
with one cop photographed arresting a white man wielding a knife.
The moment falls on the heels of the one-year anniversary of the
death of Eric Garner. It also ends a week full of police violence
against black women.
Two women were found dead in separate jail cells this week after
being arrested for traffic tickets. Police have stated that both women
committed suicide, but critics have questioned the stories.
Police ended the protests a hour early to deter from more chaos. See
some of the tension filled photos from the demonstration above.