Man Arrested For Assault As Neo-Nazi Group Marches In Nashville, Hit With Condemnations From Community

 Self-proclaimed neo-nazis recently demonstrated in Nashville, Tennessee, sparking outrage and prompting condemnations from local leaders and members of the Jewish community.

One neo-nazi protester from Canada was charged with felony aggravated assault and disorderly conduct after striking a 19-year-old in the ribs and in the face with a flagpole. The incident happened when 15 to 20 neo-nazi demonstrators assembled on Broadway in downtown Nashville.

“Chief John Drake condemned the hate being spread by the Neo-Nazi group,” Metro police said in a statement. “He expressed his appreciation to the MNPD officers who spent their late afternoon/early evening monitoring the group’s activities,” it went on to say.

“I want to say to these visitors from out of town: You are not welcome here,” Council Member at Large Zulfat Suara said. “Nashville government condemns all forms of hate, and when you come for one of us, you’re coming for all of us, and we continue to stand together for Nashvillians.”

Nashville Metropolitan Police Department Chief John Drake explained that the group is believed to be operating out of a rental property in Kentucky. Chief Drake also noted that police officers monitored the demonstrations by the neo-nazi group in order to prevent altercations between them and passerbys.

“Even Nazi speech is protected under the United States Constitution,” Drake said while also assuring that police would step in if members of the group engaged in any illegal activity. He also advised members of the public to avoid interacting with the group, explaining that they were filming videos to use in propaganda.

Nashville Jewish Federation CEO Rabbi Dan Horowitz condemned the organization’s rally and called on local law enforcement to enforce laws against parades without permits, wearing masks for disguise on public property, and littering at a Nashville City Council meeting on Tuesday.

“We have been warning our local and state elected officials to act, and thus far, insufficient action has been taken to enforce our current laws,” the Horowitz’s organization said on social media. “We very much appreciate the efforts of law enforcement to disrupt these activities to the extent possible, and we now call on our elected officials to use the full force and effect of our local and state laws.”