Only a handful of white supremacists showed up to a planned “Unite the Right 2” rally Sunday in Washington, D.C., and counter-protesters and law enforcement far out-numbered protesters as they marched to the White House.
Politico reports that only 30 white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and other assorted “alt-right” figures arrived, via Washington D.C.’s public transportation system, for a march to Lafayette Square slated to begin around 3pm eastern time.
Counter-protesters and “anti-Fascists” began their own demonstrations much earlier, crowding the National Mall and D.C. parks in preparation to shout down the permitted Unite the Right 2 rally. They were left to make up most of the group’s march, with a thin line of law enforcement officials charged with keeping the peace between the two groups.
Here’s Jason Kessler marching to his #UniteTheRight2 rally. Note: there are only a dozen or two white supremacists with him. pic.twitter.com/PGVgbLlept
— Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) August 12, 2018
A few skirmishes broke out near the front of the march.
#BREAKING: Violent breaks out as white nationalists arrive. They’re marching to Lafayette Square for #UniteTheRight2 rally. pic.twitter.com/habUtR1tgx
— Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) August 12, 2018
But if either side was looking for a fight, options were limited.
#BREAKING: Violent breaks out as white nationalists arrive. They’re marching to Lafayette Square for #UniteTheRight2 rally. pic.twitter.com/habUtR1tgx
— Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) August 12, 2018
Can’t stress enough how underwhelming the #UniteTheRight2 #unitetheright group is. Twenty MAGA dudes walking inside of 100s of cops, 100s of media, and 1000s of counter demonstrators down F street pic.twitter.com/BQZBpn9oME
— Scott Heins (@scottheins) August 12, 2018
The Unite the Right group met in Lafayette Square for a “rally,” but it is expected to be short-lived. A storm is moving into the Beltway and should arrive by 6pm.
Among the counter-protesters were elements organized by ANSWER coalition, an international pro-Communist organization, and of course, Antifa.
Antifa moving down 17th St
“It takes bullet to bash fash” pic.twitter.com/tytfjTFajX
— Tim Mak (@timkmak) August 12, 2018
They may prove harder to disperse.
