A local neo-Nazi group protesting the right of Muslim women to wear burkas while voting was significantly outnumbered by counter-protesters in front of city hall on Sunday, October 14. “I see this kind of group, and it’s disturbing,” said Juan Melendez, 44, an immigrant from El Salvador and one of the 50 or so counter-protesters. “To me, this is a hate crime they are committing.”

About 15 members of the Aryan Guard gathered with signs reading “Equal Rights” and “Fair Vote?” as well as a banner emblazoned with a white pride symbol. “If Muslim women are being given the chance to vote with their burkas on, then we should be allowed to vote with our face masks on,” said one of the balaclava-wearing protesters, who declined to give his name. “They are being given rights we don’t have, and we wish to attain these rights as well. Or abolish that rule, which is, plainly, racist.”

Police used their mountain bikes to create a barrier between the two groups. Tensions ran high as people from each side shouted at each other, and peaked when one of the counter-protesters reached over the police barrier and pulled a bandana off one of the Aryan Guard supporters. The protester retaliated by throwing a water bottle. Both were arrested and charged with assault. As the offenders were hauled away, the white supremacists wildly did the Hitler salute before being shouted down by the counter-protesters. (JK)