Chaos and VIOLENCE as ‘Confederates’ and Antifa GO TO WAR at Stone Mountain, Georgia

by Fred T

Stone Mountain, Georgia was ground zero for armed conflict today at a “Defending Stone Mountain” demonstration, as groups, some describing themselves as militias, faced off with Antifa militants while, nearby, military vehicles and personnel waited to intervene.

There was blood, there were weapons, but even though some carried guns, thankfully no shots were fired.

The militias and right-wings groups carried Confederate flags and Trump signs, the left-wingers and Antifa burned Confederate flags and American flags. The two sides fought repeatedly. Race was an issue, monuments, there were those who were described as, and described themselves as Confederates or “pro-Confederate” and others who claimed to be defending freedom or the constitution. Those who said they were “anti-Facist” or “anti-Confederate, and those who claimed to be defending human rights.

But that it was far right versus far left is not a question. These were extremes, and they fought with each other and tussled with police in small and otherwise quiet Stone Mountain, Georgia.

The best on the scene videos were from Ford Fischer of News2Share.

Other outlets were also on the scene.

The AP reported on the clashes in terms that seem relatively small ball when it came to fights. No mention of baseball bats or beatings.

After several hours of mostly peaceful demonstrations Saturday in an Atlanta suburb that’s home to a giant Confederate memorial, large numbers of police moved in to disperse the crowds when fights broke out.

Several dozen right-wing demonstrators, some waving the Confederate battle flag and many wearing military gear, gathered in downtown Stone Mountain where they faced off against a few hundred counterprotesters, many of whom wore shirts or carried signs expressing support for the Black Lives Matter movement. People in both groups carried rifles. For several hours, there was little visible police presence and things were largely peaceful, aside from some shoving and pushing and spirited arguments.

But just before 1 p.m., fights broke out, with people punching and kicking each other and throwing rocks. That’s when police officers in riot gear moved in to disperse the crowds.

Here is how the Daily Mail wrote it up.

Members of pro-Confederate and white supremacist organizations clashed with counter-protesters in Georgia on Saturday after a far-right rally turned into a violent standoff between opposing groups.

Several dozen right-wing activists toting rifles and Confederate battle flags gathered in the Atlanta suburb of Stone Mountain, near Stone Mountain Park, home to a giant sculpture of Confederate leaders.

News2Share’s Fischer, on the ground and up close, described a far more intense scene, saying it was “ome of the most intense street violence between left and right” since Charlottesville.

After some initial tweeting live during the event, Fischer posted his videos as HD in follow-up tweets. The long, continous live streams are the bottom of this article. After the event, the processed clips told the story.

There were many, many fights.

Here’s more video.

Photos.

There were no winners here.

Eventually, police moved in.

The officers were challenged. One genius dared a cop to mace him. The accommodating officer granted the request.

Fischer spotted military vehicles on standby as everyone was departing.

Here are Fischer’s live streams.


Comment Policy: Please read our comment policy before making a comment. In short, please be respectful of others and do not engage in personal attacks. Otherwise we will revoke your comment privileges.