White nationalists to protest in Oregon

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White nationalists to protest in Oregon

White nationalists to protest in Oregon

OREGON ? A Freeport-based Aryan Nation group plans to rally in front of the Ogle County Courthouse on Saturday, in what the organization?s leaders are calling a non-violent, ?voice of opinion about current immigration laws.?

Members of the Aryan Anarchist Skins, described as a white nationalist group on the organization?s Web site, will demonstrate at 2 p.m. on Saturday, on South Fifth Street between the old courthouse and the Ogle County Judicial Center, said Lisa Shultz, a ?sergeant officer? for the group. Shultz said she expects up to 200 people to attend the rally, though the group itself has just 10 members.

To contain the demonstration, the 100 block of South Sixth Street, the 100
and 200 blocks of South Fifth Street and the 400 and 500 blocks of Jefferson Street will be closed from 11 a.m. to about 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oregon Police Chief Darin Dehaan said.

 

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Police, spectators outnumber Aryan group at rally

Police, spectators outnumber Aryan group at rally

OREGON ? A Freeport-based Aryan Nations? demonstration that drew only four members of the Aryan Anarchists Skins to downtown Oregon ended peacefully today with no arrests or violence.

There were more than 120 police officers and the demonstration drew about 50 opposition spectators whose shouted anti-hate messages often drowned out what the Aryan group had to say over a public address system.

The Aryan group of four women dressed in black and adorned with patches that included swastikas, said they were against illegal immigration and supported white pride. Meanwhile, several spectators said they showed up to support a diverse nation and oppo
se the neo-Nazi group.

Ogle County Chief Deputy Greg Beitel said all the planning, preparation and estimated $60,000 cost for a heavy police force that included officers from surrounding counties were worthwhile to ensure no one was hurt and property was protected.

Police had been told as many as 200 members of the Aryan groups could have shown up.

?It was a significant cost, but it could have been a lot more expensive if something had gone wrong,? Beitel said. ?We prepared for every contingency.?