Neo-fascist group Patriot Front parades Confederate flag in Washington DC on Fourth of July
Hundreds of masked members of the white supremacist organization marched and chanted in the US capital
Hundreds of masked men carrying banners, including the Confederate flag, marched through Washington DC on the Fourth of July, the 250th anniversary of the US’s inception.
The group appeared to be led by Thomas Rousseau, founder of the neo-fascist, white supremacist organization Patriot Front. Members of the group wore white masks and gathered in front of DC’s Union Station. They later marched towards Capitol Hill, WTOP reported.
Members chanted “Life, liberty, victory!” and “Reclaim America!” during the Saturday demonstration, according to video posted on social media.
Images published by Reuters also showed masked members riding the DC Metro as other riders looked on warily.
The white supremacist group’s gathering attracted some counter-protesters. In one video, a man with a bullhorn shouted at Patriot Front members: “Every single one of you justifies the fucking right to abortion.”
In a comment shared with Politico on Saturday’s march, DC’s Metropolitan police department said it was “tracking first amendment activities that occurred this morning in the Eastern Market neighborhood”, adding: “MPD recognizes the rights of individuals to peacefully express their views and remains committed to maintaining public safety and security for DC residents and visitors.”
Members of Patriot Front were last seen marching during the Memorial Day weekend at the Virginia Beach oceanfront, local affiliate 13News Now reported.
Patriot Front was founded in 2017 following the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The neo-fascist hate group has gained visibility over the years as those connected to white supremacy organizations have been widely embraced by the Trump administration.
In 2022, an expert on extremists groups told the Guardian that Patriot Front’s fundraising and mobilizing efforts resembled those of a media production company.
“No other white supremacist group operating in the US today is able to match Patriot Front’s ability to produce media, ability to mobilize across the country and ability to finance,” Morgan Moon, an investigative researcher with the ADL Center on Extremism, said. “That’s what makes them a particular concern.”
Most recently, Patriot Front’s leader claimed to be a part of relief efforts following deadly flooding in central Texas last year.
Saturday’s march comes as Trump condemned a supposed “communist menace” in America in a deeply partisan speech to kick off celebrations of the US’s 250th birthday. The White House did not respond to the Guardian’s request for comment about if Trump condemns the latest march.
About the Author
Considering the group appeared to be led by Thomas Rousseau, founder of the neo-fascist, white supremacist organization Patriot Front, it raises some real questions about what happens next.
Thomas Rousseau is in a tough spot here, curious how they navigate it.
Think about it: the white supremacist group’s gathering attracted some counter-protesters. That speaks volumes.
Still waiting to hear what Patriot Front actually plans to do about it.
Still waiting to hear what Union Station actually plans to do about it.
If the white supremacist group’s gathering attracted some counter-protesters, then the bigger picture starts to look very different.
If the group appeared to be led by Thomas Rousseau, founder of the neo-fascist, white supremacist organization Patriot Front, then the bigger picture starts to look very different.
Basically the white supremacist group’s gathering attracted some counter-protesters. What matters is whether anything changes because of it.
When you look at hundreds of masked men carrying banners, including the Confederate flag, marched through Washington DC on the Fourth of July, the 250th anniversary of the US’s inception, the implications are hard to ignore.
The detail about the group appeared to be led by Thomas Rousseau, founder of the neo-fascist, white supremacist organization Patriot Front is something people should sit with.
Basically hundreds of masked men carrying banners, including the Confederate flag, marched through Washington DC on the Fourth of July, the 250th anniversary of the US’s inception. What matters is whether anything changes because of it.
Patriot Front has been vocal about this, good to see them staying on it.
On one hand members chanted “Life, liberty, victory!” and “Reclaim America!” during the Saturday demonstration, according to video posted on social media. But at the same time the white supremacist group’s gathering attracted some counter-protesters.
What stands out is hundreds of masked men carrying banners, including the Confederate flag, marched through Washington DC on the Fourth of July, the 250th anniversary of the US’s inception. That is the part worth paying attention to.
Think about it: hundreds of masked members of the white supremacist organization marched and chanted in the US. That speaks volumes.