Neo-Nazi Group To Rally Over Illegal Immigration, More, In Newnan

NEWNAN, GA — The National Socialist Movement, a neo-Nazi group, has been approved to rally at Greenville Street Park in downtown Newnan April 21, from 3 to 5 p.m. The NSM is the same neo-Nazi group that was involved in the Charlottesville, Va., rally in 2017 where one person was killed and others were injured.

"We are aware of the proposed protest on April 21st and are engaged in preparations for the event and traffic concerns," said Deputy Chief of Police Mark Cooper, of the Newnan Police Department. "Traffic detours and road closures will be in place the day of the event and a joined contingency of local, state and federal agencies will be in place to help keep the peace between groups that may have opposing views of political issues.

"Our goal is to protect the First Amendment Rights of all citizens and visitors to The City of Newnan," continued the statement.

Several businesses in the area plan to close that day and a church will conduct a prayer event at 3 p.m., the Newnan Times-Herald reported.

Harry L. Hughes, a spokesman for the group, said NSM choose Newnan because they are having their annual national meeting the evening before, Friday, April 20, right down the road, in Temple.

"Then, on Saturday, April 21, the NSM will be joined by other member organizations of the Nationalist Front in Newman ... for a public rally at Greenville Street Park," according to a statement from Hughes. "The National Socialist Movement is exercising its' right to peaceful assembly to address our party's concerns over rampant illegal immigration, failing domestic policies, the preservation of endangered southern historical sites and monuments. Other hot button issues will be addressed by various guest speakers."

The City of Newnan, The Newnan Police Department and other agencies involved do not support any one political view or group, Cooper's statement reads.

"Rather, we support The Constitution of The United States of America, the rights of our citizens and visitors and are sworn to protect the lawful expression of those rights. We ask all people that are not directly involved in the event to avoid the area and understand the traffic and crowd control measures we put in place are designed with everyone’s safety in mind."

Classified as a hate group, The NSM is the largest neo-Nazi organization in the country, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

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Photo courtesy National Socialist Movement