Topline
White supremacists are organizing “White Lives Matter” marches in cities throughout the United States this Sunday, and, with counterprotests being planned, local police forces are readying for conflict.
White nationalist attend a rally on October 28, 2017 in Shelbyville, Tennessee. (Photo by Scott … [+] Olson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Key Facts
The Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism stated last week that a new channel on the messaging service Telegram surfaced in late March calling for “White Lives Matter” events April 11.
Democratic lawmakers in Southern California released a statement Friday condemning a rally organized by the Loyal White Knights of the Klu Klux Klan scheduled to take place Sunday in Huntington Beach.
The Huntington Beach Police Department chief told the Orange County Register that officers would be prepared and “have a plan to ensure public safety.”
In North Dakota, fliers have circulated promoting a “peaceful march” on Sunday at 1 p.m. near Fargo’s City Hall, with participants advised to don facemasks ‘for anonymity.’
A police spokesperson in Raleigh, N.C., told Newsweek his department is aware of an event planned in the city, while across the state in Asheville, where another rally was planned, the police department said it was cognizant of the “call for action around the country” and was tracking actions related to far-right groups.
According to the Statehouse News Bureau, law enforcement authorities in Ohio are aware of a planned protest outside the statehouse in Columbus on Sunday, and troopers from around the state will be available if needed.
Key Background:
The mission statement for Sunday’s rallies, according to Telegram posts examined by the Orange County Register, reads: “To revive the White Racial Consciousness and to unify White People against white hate. A show of support for White victims of interracial crime.” Counterprotests are being organized in many locations. In Albuquerque, N.M., a “Protest Against the Proud Boys’ White Lives Matter’ Event” is scheduled for noon at Albuquerque Civic Plaza. A Southern-California-based Black Lives Matter chapter has organized a counterprotest Sunday in Huntington Beach. The city of Huntington Beach is also sponsoring a virtual event Sunday at 1.pm. that will place on Zoom, while the city council approved a counter-event the following Sunday.
Further Reading:
Rally for ‘white lives’ in Huntington Beach raises concerns (Orange County Register)
Cities Nationwide Brace Themselves for April 11 White Lives Matter Rallies (Newsweek)
