Anti-Neo-Nazi Protestors Had Shield With Screws, Smoke Grenades

NEWNAN, GA — Ten arrests were made at a neo-Nazi rally held in Newnan Saturday. Those arrested were there to shout down the neo-Nazi ralliers and were mostly arrested for disorderly conduct and possession of prohibited items such as masks, fireworks, smoke grenades, various types of insect spray, bottles inscribed with the terms “shake and law” and a shield with outfacing screws, according to a statement made by the City of Newnan.

The City of Newnan, in partnership with forty two public safety agencies and over seven hundred law enforcement officials, as well as twenty five fire and emergency services agencies, successfully managed a planned demonstration by the National Socialist Movement, with no reported injuries.

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.

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In a statement, Assistant City Manager Hasco W. Carver IV said the success of the event was thanks to "the unwavering support of the citizens of the City of Newnan, Coweta County and the State of Georgia."

"In addition, a well-planned and orchestrated public safety plan enables us to collectively celebrate that no injuries or property damage was realized," Carver said.

After being screened for prohibited items, roughly forty members of the National Socialist Movement entered Greenville Street Park for their demonstration. 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 Newnan Police Department, in partnership with numerous local, state and federal agency partners, managed the closure of adjacent roadways, while also maintaining designated gathering areas for use by the demonstrators and anti-demonstrators. Increased patrols occurred before, during and after the demonstration to provide for the protection of persons and property.

"The City of Newnan is aware of recent activities in our country that include the actions of similar demonstrators and anti-demonstrators," continued Carver's statement. "The City of Newnan has a responsibility to protect free speech rights, the individuals and groups that chose to exercise those rights and the broader community in which those rights may be exercised.

"The City of Newnan took very seriously multiple concerns regarding the safety of persons and property." Carver said. "In order to meet that obligation, the City of Newnan prepared a robust public safety plan. The City of Newnan is committed to ensuring public safety and utilized the resources needed to execute the public safety plan.

"The City of Newnan would like to thank our public safety partners and caring citizens for entrusting in us the awesome responsibility of managing the April 21, 2018 demonstration," the statement concluded.

Those arrested were:

• Hector Barraza, 31; Charge: Obstruction of Officers, felony
• Erin Marie Galvin-McCoy, 22; Charge: Obstruction of Officers, felony
• Katherine Ogilvie, 30; Charge: Wearing Masks, Hoods, etc., misdemeanor
• Jose Osorio-Hernandez, 31; Charge: Disorderly Conduct, misdemeanor
• Alan Edward Hutzel, 30; Charge: Wearing Masks, Hoods, Etc., misdemeanor
• Jeremy James Ortega, 19: Charge: Disorderly Conduct, misdemeanor
• Dannielle Jelayne Shochet, 47; Charge: Obstruction of Officers, misdemeanor
• Christopher Render, 18; Charge: Disorderly Conduct, misdemeanor
• Daniel Sean Hanley, 36; Charge: Pedestrians on Highways, misdemeanor
• Noah Peretz, 20; Charge: Wearing masks, hoods, etc., misdemeanor

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