Three arrested during protest of neo-Nazi rally in Austin

[pampango]

Source: Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin

Activists protest against members of the National Socialist Movement, who held a rally against communism and illegal immigration Saturday at the Austin Veteran's Memorial.

Police arrested three pro-immigration demonstrators who were protesting a neo-Nazi group's rally Saturday at the Veterans Memorial in downtown Austin (Minnesota).

The pro-immigration group tried to keep local neo-Nazi leader Sam Johnson from getting to the speaker box as well as an Austin police officer from getting hold of Novak, the report says. Another officer used a chemical spray in a swiping motion to protect the officer and disperse the crowd in his immediate area.

One anti-illegal immigration protester, a 38-year-old man from Mendota Heights, Minn., was wearing body armor and carrying a knife, expandable baton and stun gun at the rally, the report says. He also had a mouth guard and ear plugs.

Read more: http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=421662

[KansDem]

1. WTF??!!!

:wtf:
...was wearing body armor and carrying a knife, expandable baton and stun gun at the rally, the report says. He also had a mouth guard and ear plugs.

Did this guy come ready to rumble? Have we lost our collective minds? :crazy:

[imdjh]

2. "anti-illegal immigration protester" So is he against illegal immigration or against illegal...

immigration protesters?

More morons in journalism, day by day.

[geckosfeet]

3. Teabaggers protesting 'commie nazi socialist president good', but ptotesting

real nazi's bad.

I think that I see where this country is going.

[Doctor_J]

4. why is it that terrorists don't get arrested, but people who protest them do?

and, how long are we going to put up with it?

[YouTakeTheSkyway]

5. Because you can't arrest someone for simply speaking their mind

no matter how disgusting their beliefs might be.

There have been a few of these types of rallies in Austin, MN over the last year or two. The NSM is playing on the fact that many jobs have left that area and many of the ones that are left have gone to Mexican immigrants (legal and otherwise). With that said, turnout for their "rallies" is pathetically low and they don't seem to be gaining any traction, so I guess that's the bright side in all of this? The NSM's recent "rally" in Minneapolis was comprised of a whoppin' four Neo-Nazis who squared off against hundreds of anti-fascist protesters. The hope is they'll eventually get the point and stop showing up altogether.

[pampango]

6. This "rally" in Austin also had just 4 Neo-Nazis. I wonder if it was the same 4 guys

that you described at the recent "rally" in Minneapolis. If they continue to get no traction, maybe these 4 guys will get tired and stay home, though maybe they enjoy "gearing up" and attracting a lot of attention. ;)

[YouTakeTheSkyway]

7. From what the Indymedia reports are saying, two of 'em are the same

The Twin Cities Indymedia site has been doing a good job of reporting of the activities of these Neo-Nazis (as well as the counter protesters). If you're interested, it's www.twincities.indymedia.org

And I've kind've wondered that myself. Maybe they'd be less likely to continue holding these rallies if they staged them on a completely empty street? Either way, it's nice to know they aren't making much headway, if any. Also, it gives the younger anarchists kids someone to unite against.