Philadelphia

Tensions Flare as White Supremacists March in Front of Philly City Hall

Patriot Front, which is based out of Texas, is described by the Anti-Defamation League as “a white supremacist group whose members maintain that their ancestors conquered America and bequeathed it solely to them"

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A group of white supremacists marched in front of Philadelphia City Hall Saturday night, drawing jeers from onlookers, as well as small scuffles.

Approximately 200 members of the group Patriot Front wore white face coverings, khakis, blue shirts and tan hats and waved flags with their group insignias.

They were seen approaching from Market Street before walking in front of City Hall around 10:45 p.m. Some could be seen holding shields as watchers-on shouted at them, demanding they leave Philadelphia.

Philadelphia police said the Patriot Front members chanted "Reclaim America," and "The election was stolen," as they marched.

A few people could be seen engaging in minor pushing and shoving with members of the group and police said several physical confrontations took place. An NBC10 photographer had his cellphone taken from him by members of the group, before recovering it.

Police also said members of Patriot Front used what they believed to be smoke bombs to cover their retreat as they fled.

Patriot Front, which is based out of Texas, is described by the Anti-Defamation League as “a white supremacist group whose members maintain that their ancestors conquered America and bequeathed it solely to them.”

They are known to participate in localized flash mobs, the likes of which happened in Philadelphia Saturday night, according to the ADL. The Independent reported that members of the group also marched in Washington, D.C., in February 2020.

It was unclear whether Philadelphia police made any arrests in relation to the local march. Police also said there were no reports of any damage or injuries.

Correction (Monday, July 5, 2021 11:30 a.m.): A previous version of this article misstated the date of the group's march in Washington, D.C.

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