Hundreds of protesters from rival groups have descended on Louisville, with armed pro-police activists facing off with anti-racism protesters, as members of all-black NFAC militia staged yet another demonstration of force.
Dressed in black combat fatigues and carrying automatic weapons, around 200 members of the Not F*****g Around Coalition (NFAC) gathered in Louisville on Saturday. Having checked their weapons, they marched to a park just outside the Churchill Downs track, where they posed in formation, kneeled, and otherwise demonstrated their resolve to fight for racial justice.
NFAC on the move headed toward Churchill. Group just collectively loaded their weapons. Grandmaster Jay told the group to not chamber a round. @WDRBNews pic.twitter.com/As5SsHg2wU
— Travis Ragsdale (@TravisRagsdale) September 5, 2020
Simultaneously, a large group of Black Lives Matter, Until Freedom and other activists also marched to track, chanting “No Justice, No Derby,” blasting the city for holding recreational and leisure “celebrations” while the country is gripped by “systemic racism.”
Groups including the Justice and Freedom Coalition, Until Freedom and NFAC gathered at Louisville parks Saturday and then marched to Churchill Downs, protesting the Kentucky Derby and calling for justice in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor. pic.twitter.com/279XFOhvHB
— Lexington Herald-Leader (@heraldleader) September 6, 2020
While rallying for the same cause, the unarmed protesters distanced themselves from NFAC, which previously made clear they “believe in violence” and were ready to use force, if necessary.
The Angry Viking rally group has made it to city hall/Jefferson Square Park. Being met by some radical justice protesters. pic.twitter.com/prNCTnRmW4
— Matthew Glowicki (@MattGlo) September 5, 2020
Earlier in the day, a 250-strong group of armed self-declared pro-police “Patriots” dressed in tactical gear marched downtown. Carrying US flags and chanting “USA!” and “Back the Blue!”, the group declared they were sick and tired of the chaos and anarchy across the country, and Louisville in particular.
Near Jefferson Square Park, the “Patriots” were met by a group of BLM protesters. Amid a tense standoff – in the absence of police, who decided to “let groups exercise rights” – rival activists kept yelling at each other, refrained from violence. Police officers reportedly moved in to separate the groups only once the majority of both camps dispersed and moved elsewhere.
MAGA militia armed with guns causes tension in Louisville, KY pic.twitter.com/R5kl2OChVZ
— Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) September 5, 2020
A very 2020 moment to cap off the strangest of Derby days. Glad everyone is okay. pic.twitter.com/k0oCT34xVs
— Matthew Glowicki (@MattGlo) September 6, 2020
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