10 Arrests Made At Georgia Neo-Nazi Protest: WATCH

NEWNAN, GA — Ten arrests were made at a neo-Nazi rally held in Newnan Saturday. Those arrested were there to protest the neo-Nazi rally. A reported 700 law enforcement officers were on hand to keep order. There were no injuries at the event.

Some anti-fascist counter-protesters were reportedly arrested for wearing masks, which were listed among items prohibited by authorities.

The National Socialist Movement, a neo-Nazi group, was approved to rally at Greenville Street Park in downtown weeks before the event. About two dozen NSM members attended. A group of at least 100 people who called themselves the NoNaziNewnan Coalition, from Newnan, MetroAtlanta, and from across the South, assembled in opposition to the neo-Nazi rally.

The Atlanta Black Cross, A World Without Police and Metro Atlanta Democratic Socialists of America held a vigil in solidarity with anti-racist protesters who were arrested in Saturday's rally. The vigil was held at Coweta county jail in Newnan.

"We stand with those arrested yesterday by militarized police. We decry the City of Newnan's violent targeting of anti-racist protesters," reads a statement the group sent to Patch.

It is believed the rally was the largest face-off between neo-Nazis and anti-fascist demonstrators, since the well-publicized protest in Charlottesville, Va., last year where one person was killed, USA Today reported.

Rows of officers wearing black riot gear stood between and around the groups, keeping them from clashing. During the rally, the two groups were about a football field apart from each other, separated by fences and barriers.

Harry L. Hughes, a spokesman for NSM, said they selected Newnan because they were having their annual national meeting the evening before right down the road, in Temple.

Many businesses in the normally-quite town decided to close Saturday afternoon.

"Praying for Newnan," Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle tweeted Saturday. "We must condemn the bigotry spread by hate groups. Our thoughts are with Sheriff Yeager, city officials, and all law enforcement officers who are working to protect residents and we hope the protests remains nonviolent."

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