Washington: Counter-protesters outnumbered a small group of white supremacists as it staged a rally near the White House in Washington, the media said.
The participants for the far-right “Unite the Right 2” rally on Sunday fell far short of the hundreds that organiser Jason Kessler was expecting, reports CNN.
About 400 people were expected but only 20 far-right supporters attended the protest, which came a year after clashes in the first edition of the rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, left one person dead and elevated racial tensions in America.
Kessler, 34, blamed the low turnout on logistical issues and confusion regarding the group’s transportation.
A small stage and speaker system was set up at the Lafayette Park, where attendees stood silently and listened to a slate of impromptu speakers. They addressed the small group over the jeers of the anti-racist demonstrators, who chanted, “Nazis go home!” and “Shame! Shame! Shame!” The two sides were kept apart by a heavy police presence.
Counter-protesters also gathered near the Washington suburban metro station of Vienna, Virginia, where Kessler and companions were escorted onto a train to the city for the demonstration, reports the Guardian.
Wherever they went, the far-right supporters were confronted by counter-protesters. Two were arrested.