海角精品黑料

Rival far-right, far-left protests get heated near White House

July 6, 2019

Home » Washington, DC News » Rival far-right, far-left protests…

Valerie Bonk | vbonk@wtop.com

July 6, 2019, 8:00 PM

Far-left antifa protesters march down Washington, D.C.鈥檚 F Street on July 6, 2019, in an attempt to disrupt a far-right rally in Freedom Plaza. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)

Tensions were high as protesters from two different sides took to the streets of D.C. on Saturday and law enforcement officials worked to keep a barrier between the groups from being crossed.

The 鈥淒emand Free Speech Freedom Rally鈥� started at noon at Freedom Plaza in D.C. Among those attending are the Proud Boys, a聽far-right group that had violent run-ins with anti-fascist 鈥渁ntifa鈥澛�in Portland last weekend, during which there were injuries.

Antifa showed up at the counter-protest 鈥淪top the Alt-Right鈥� rally, organized by All Out DC. This protest started around 11 a.m. at Pershing Park.

Police set up multiple barricades along 14th Street NW with the goal of keeping the two groups separate. The city’s snow plows were set up to restrict vehicle and pedestrian traffic in some areas and to keep conservative and liberal activists away from each other.

A supporter of President Donald Trump attends the right-wing 鈥淒emand Free Speech鈥� rally in Washington D.C.鈥檚 Freedom Plaza on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
A supporter of President Donald Trump attends the right-wing 鈥淒emand Free Speech鈥� rally in Washington D.C.鈥檚 Freedom Plaza on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez
A supporter of President Donald Trump attends the right-wing 鈥淒emand Free Speech鈥� rally in Washington D.C.鈥檚 Freedom Plaza on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
A supporter of President Donald Trump attends the right-wing 鈥淒emand Free Speech鈥� rally in Washington D.C.鈥檚 Freedom Plaza on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez
An attendee of the far-right 鈥淒efend Free Speech鈥� rally in Washington, D.C. on July 6, 2019 holds a sign above the crowd. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
An attendee of the far-right 鈥淒efend Free Speech鈥� rally in Washington, D.C. on July 6, 2019 holds a sign above the crowd. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez
A protester opposing the far-right holds a sign against white supremacy in a counter-protest to a July 6, 2019 rally by far-right figures in Washington, D.C.鈥檚 Freedom Plaza. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
A protester opposing the far-right holds a sign against white supremacy in a counter-protest to a July 6, 2019 rally by far-right figures in Washington, D.C.鈥檚 Freedom Plaza. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez
LGBTQ activists wave rainbow flags in an attempt to drown out a right-wing broadcast, seen lower right, during a far-right rally in Washington, D.C. on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
LGBTQ activists wave rainbow flags in an attempt to drown out a right-wing broadcast, seen lower right, during a far-right rally in Washington, D.C. on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez
Opponents to a far-right rally in Washington, D.C. on July 6, 2019 attempt to block and surround a Metropolitan Police Department cruiser on 14th Street. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
Opponents to a far-right rally in Washington, D.C. on July 6, 2019 attempt to block and surround a Metropolitan Police Department cruiser on 14th Street. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez
A protester confronts a Washington, D.C. police officer, accusing them of protecting white supremacists, while opposing a far-right rally on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
A protester confronts a Washington, D.C. police officer, accusing them of protecting white supremacists, while opposing a far-right rally on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez
A supporter of President Donald Trump is surrounded by counter-protesters to a far-right event in Washington, D.C.鈥檚 Freedom Plaza on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
A supporter of President Donald Trump is surrounded by counter-protesters to a far-right event in Washington, D.C.鈥檚 Freedom Plaza on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez
Antifa protesters pose with a sign in front of Washington, D.C. police officers, as members of the far-right rally against conservative censorship in social media. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
Antifa protesters pose with a sign in front of Washington, D.C. police officers, as members of the far-right rally against conservative censorship in social media. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez
Far-left activists known as antifa wear helmets and dress in all black as they patrol Washington, D.C.鈥檚 14th Street to confront supporters of President Donald Trump on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
Far-left activists known as antifa wear helmets and dress in all black as they patrol Washington, D.C.鈥檚 14th Street to confront supporters of President Donald Trump on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez
Far-left antifa protesters march down Washington, D.C.鈥檚 F Street on July 6, 2019, in an attempt to disrupt a far-right rally in Freedom Plaza. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
Far-left antifa protesters march down Washington, D.C.鈥檚 F Street on July 6, 2019, in an attempt to disrupt a far-right rally in Freedom Plaza. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez
Far-left antifa protesters march down Washington, D.C.鈥檚 F Street on July 6, 2019, in an attempt to disrupt a far-right rally in Freedom Plaza. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
Far-left antifa protesters march down Washington, D.C.鈥檚 F Street on July 6, 2019, in an attempt to disrupt a far-right rally in Freedom Plaza. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez
Protesters from the far right and the far left are seen during demonstrations in D.C. on July 6, 2019. (海角精品黑料/John Domen)
Protesters from the far-right and the far-left are seen during demonstrations in D.C. on July 6, 2019. (海角精品黑料/John Domen)
海角精品黑料/John Domen
Counter protesters hold signs with Freedom Plaza behind them during demonstrations in D.C. on July 6, 2019. (海角精品黑料/Michelle Basch)
Counter protesters hold signs with Freedom Plaza behind them during demonstrations in D.C. on July 6, 2019. (海角精品黑料/Michelle Basch)
海角精品黑料/Michelle Basch
(海角精品黑料/Michelle Basch)
(海角精品黑料/Michelle Basch)
Protesters from the left are seen during a rally at Pershing Park in D.C. on Saturday, July 6, 2019. (海角精品黑料/John Domen)
Protesters from the left are seen during a rally at Pershing Park in D.C. on Saturday, July 6, 2019. (海角精品黑料/John Domen)
海角精品黑料/John Domen
(海角精品黑料/John Domen)
Cops appear to have confiscated a crowbar and some hammers from people on the far left side of protests at Pershing Park in D.C., according to 海角精品黑料's John Domen during a protest on July 6, 2019. (海角精品黑料/John Domen)
Cops appear to have confiscated a crowbar and some hammers from people on the far left side of protests at Pershing Park in D.C., according to 海角精品黑料’s John Domen during a protest on July 6, 2019. (海角精品黑料/John Domen)
海角精品黑料/John Domen
(海角精品黑料/John Domen)
(海角精品黑料/John Domen)
Police increased a buffer between Freedom Plaza and Pershing Park in D.C. during protests on Saturday, July 6, 2019. (海角精品黑料/John Domen).
Police increased a buffer between Freedom Plaza and Pershing Park in D.C. during protests on Saturday, July 6, 2019. . (海角精品黑料/John Domen)
海角精品黑料/John Domen
(海角精品黑料/John Domen)
The alt-right rally is seen underway in Freedom Plaza in D.C. on Saturday, July 6, 2019. (海角精品黑料/John Domen)
The alt-right rally is seen underway in Freedom Plaza in D.C. on Saturday, July 6, 2019. (海角精品黑料/John Domen)
海角精品黑料/John Domen
(1/24)
A supporter of President Donald Trump attends the right-wing 鈥淒emand Free Speech鈥� rally in Washington D.C.鈥檚 Freedom Plaza on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
A supporter of President Donald Trump attends the right-wing 鈥淒emand Free Speech鈥� rally in Washington D.C.鈥檚 Freedom Plaza on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
An attendee of the far-right 鈥淒efend Free Speech鈥� rally in Washington, D.C. on July 6, 2019 holds a sign above the crowd. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
A protester opposing the far-right holds a sign against white supremacy in a counter-protest to a July 6, 2019 rally by far-right figures in Washington, D.C.鈥檚 Freedom Plaza. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
LGBTQ activists wave rainbow flags in an attempt to drown out a right-wing broadcast, seen lower right, during a far-right rally in Washington, D.C. on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
Opponents to a far-right rally in Washington, D.C. on July 6, 2019 attempt to block and surround a Metropolitan Police Department cruiser on 14th Street. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
A protester confronts a Washington, D.C. police officer, accusing them of protecting white supremacists, while opposing a far-right rally on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
A supporter of President Donald Trump is surrounded by counter-protesters to a far-right event in Washington, D.C.鈥檚 Freedom Plaza on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
Antifa protesters pose with a sign in front of Washington, D.C. police officers, as members of the far-right rally against conservative censorship in social media. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
Far-left activists known as antifa wear helmets and dress in all black as they patrol Washington, D.C.鈥檚 14th Street to confront supporters of President Donald Trump on July 6, 2019. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
Far-left antifa protesters march down Washington, D.C.鈥檚 F Street on July 6, 2019, in an attempt to disrupt a far-right rally in Freedom Plaza. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
Far-left antifa protesters march down Washington, D.C.鈥檚 F Street on July 6, 2019, in an attempt to disrupt a far-right rally in Freedom Plaza. Trump supporters and anti-fascist organizers held dueling rallies across the street from each other, leading to high tensions as D.C. and U.S. Park Police largely held the peace. (海角精品黑料/Alejandro Alvarez)
Protesters from the far right and the far left are seen during demonstrations in D.C. on July 6, 2019. (海角精品黑料/John Domen)
Counter protesters hold signs with Freedom Plaza behind them during demonstrations in D.C. on July 6, 2019. (海角精品黑料/Michelle Basch)
Protesters from the left are seen during a rally at Pershing Park in D.C. on Saturday, July 6, 2019. (海角精品黑料/John Domen)
Cops appear to have confiscated a crowbar and some hammers from people on the far left side of protests at Pershing Park in D.C., according to 海角精品黑料's John Domen during a protest on July 6, 2019. (海角精品黑料/John Domen)
Police increased a buffer between Freedom Plaza and Pershing Park in D.C. during protests on Saturday, July 6, 2019. (海角精品黑料/John Domen).
The alt-right rally is seen underway in Freedom Plaza in D.C. on Saturday, July 6, 2019. (海角精品黑料/John Domen)
While the morning started in a calm fashion, the protests became more and more intense.

Antifa protesters were seen rushing a police barricade on Pennsylvania Avenue and 12th Street NW. A masked antifa protester was seen attempting to snatch a “MAGA” hat from a Trump supporter who crossed into the All Out DC side of Saturday’s protests.

At the counter-protest in Pershing Park, a Trump supporter was seen being surrounded and chased out to applause.

海角精品黑料’s Alejandro Alvarez聽reported that at least one antifa protester was arrested outside the Trump International Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue at around 6:30 p.m.

Antifa protesters tried to confront Trump supporters as they were heading into the “Demand Free Speech” after-party.

海角精品黑料’s John Domen, Alejandro Alvarez and Michelle Basch contributed to this report.

Valerie Bonk

Valerie Bonk started working at 海角精品黑料 in 2016 and has lived in Howard County, Maryland, her entire life. She's thrilled to be a reporter for 海角精品黑料 telling stories on air.聽She works聽as both a television and radio reporter in the Maryland and D.C. areas.聽

vbonk@wtop.com

Related News

Recommended

Related Categories:

Local News | Washington, DC News
Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your 海角精品黑料 account for notifications and alerts customized for you.