WASHINGTON — As white nationalists prepare to protest at Freedom Plaza on Saturday, a number of groups, including the local chapter of Black Lives Matter, are mobilizing to make their voices heard in a counter-protest at Pershing Park.
"A lot of people say, 'leave [white nationalism] alone, it's gonna go away,' and the fact that we're still talking about it means that it's still there," said April Goggans of BLM DC.
The white nationalist rally is being billed as a defense of free speech. Speakers at that event will include prominent alt-right personalities like Milo Yiannopoulos and Laura Loomer, who've both been banned from social media for their hateful rhetoric.
Counter-protesters say they hope to drown out the alt-right.
"Ignoring it is actually just saying that you don't want to address it, you don't want to think about it," said Goggans.
Counter-protesters say Trump's "Salute to America" event held on the Fourth of July is partially to blame for emboldening the alt-right.
"Throughout history all over the world, shows of military force and celebration of nationalism is designed to do exactly that, to kind of reach the hearts and minds of those folks who are ultra-patriotic and nationalism in the ways that exclude other people who don't fall into those lines," said Goggans.
There is a fear violent groups such as Antifa and the Proud Boys will join the demonstrations, but Black Lives Matter DMV says the plan is to remain as peaceful as possible, and the counter-protest will feel more like a celebration.
"We’re gonna have go-go, we're gonna have music, we're gonna have speakers," said Goggans.
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U.S. Parks Police say their civil disobedience unit is standing by.
The alt-right's groups' application for a protest permit shows the organizers expect about 1,000 participants.
Last year, white nationalists who rallied in D.C. for the Unite the Right 2 rally were overwhelmingly outnumbered by counter-protesters.
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Black Lives Matter expects this year will be no different.
"These guys talk a big game, there are several groups of the ones that will come are probably I would say the more violent ones. But I think in terms of mass? No, they're not going to turn out," said Goggans.
The alt-right rally is scheduled to go from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The counter-protest will last until about 6 p.m.