Philadelphia

16 Arrested at Antifa Counter-Protest to Blue Lives Matter March in Center City

While both demonstrations occurred simultaneously, the two groups did not interact, according to police.

What to Know

  • Philadelphia Police arrested 16 people who were protesting a "Blue Lives Matter" march in Center City for allegedly fighting officers.
  • Police say members of the anti-fascist group "Antifa" took part in the counter-protest. They also say some of the protesters fought police.
  • Of the 16 arrested, nine were issued citations for failure to disperse while seven were charged with disorderly conduct.

Police say they arrested 16 people at a counter-protest to a “Blue Lives Matter” march in Philadelphia.

About 20 people were taking part in Saturday’s “Blue Lives Matter” march that started at Independence Hall and went through Center City.

Around 11:30 a.m., about 75 protesters identifying themselves as members of the anti-fascist group “Antifa” protested in the area of Broad and Arch streets. Some of the members allegedly fought with police.

Police say they arrested 16 people who were taking part in the counter-protest. Of the 16 arrested, nine were issued citations for failure to disperse while seven were charged with disorderly conduct.

In a release promoting the counter-protest, participants accused the organizers of the “Blue Lives Matter” march of supporting “Nazis, police brutality, and the alt-right.”

“This march represents the creep of ultra right wing politics into our communities,” one of the organizers of the counter-protest march wrote. “We refuse to let that happen. We refused to allow the belittling and oppression of our friends, neighbors and community, and refuse to give the alt right a platform. They are hiding their despicable politics behind fake respectability and need for someone to call them out.”

While both demonstrations occurred simultaneously, the two groups did not interact, according to police.

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