Violence Erupts at Protest Against Neo-Nazi Convention in DC

Videos appears to show neo-Nazi lunging at protesters and police breaking up fights.

November 19, 2016

Not Available Lead — Image via Complex Original

Tensions mounted at a demonstration of protesters outside a neo-Nazi conference in Washington, D.C. Saturday afternoon. Members of the National Policy Institute, a white supremacist group based in Arlington, Virginia, met at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in downtown D.C and were greeted by a large crowd of protesters.

At one point during the demonstration, a violent clash erupted between the neo-Nazis and their protesters. Video of the incident can be seen below, as police break up the violence over protesters’ chants of “We don’t want a white state, we say no to racist hate!” and “Fascists, we will shut you down!”

The New York Daily Newsreports no arrests were made, but one attendee tweeted that after a conference attendee attacked a protester, the police arrested two protesters, but not one alt-right member. Video appears to confirm that the outbreak was instigated by a member of the white supremacist group, as an alleged member of the group is seen lunging at a protester.

The same man was later seen with a bloody gash on his forehead.

Before the violence, another confrontation was documented between protesters and a National Policy Institute member named Emily who was goading protesters and accusing them of hating white people.

The "Become Who We Are—2016" conference was set up to celebrate what many consider a victorious year for neo-nazis in America, with the presidential election helping the racist movement grow across the country and noted racist Steve Bannon being named President-elect Donald Trump’s chief strategist.

A reporter at the weekend-long conference tweeted Saturday afternoon that a speaker at the white supremacist event said Bannon's positions and power are “a hopeful sign.”

Former reality star Tila Tequila was also at the conference, live tweeting images of herself and other attendees celebrating Nazi culture.

The Ronald Reagan Building, a federal building that hosts both government and private events, has come under scrutiny for hosting the racist conference. The building released a statement Friday seeming to address the concerns indirectly.

“TCMA (Trade Center Management Associates) does not always share the views held by its clients but as managers of a federal government building, we also cannot prohibit rental of this space based on political or religious beliefs."