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.
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