Police coordination and involvement in Saturday’s protests appears dramatically different from previous attempts to keep the peace among far-right and far-left demonstrators.
Earlier confrontations were kept to a minimum by police barriers and lines that prevented the two sides from direct confrontation.
Saturday’s protests have been marked by scant police presence among the demonstrators, allowing the two sides to engage in pushing, shoving and other contact. Counterprotesters have snatched hats and Confederate flags from the outnumbered individuals challenging them.
In several instances, those seized items have been burned in the street.
Police officers have begun to move into the city of Stone Mountain but they are staying back from the protesters and not making any effort to keep the groups apart. Over loud speaker, counterprotesters are warning members to be prepared for tear gas.
A second militia group, the Confederate States III% militia, has now arrived on the scene, carrying Confederate flags and a banner reading, “All Lives Matter.” The group was denied a permit to protest in the park.