NoNaziNewnan Coalition To Protest Neo-Nazi Rally This Weekend

NEWNAN, GA — A group who call themselves the NoNaziNewnan Coalition, from Newnan, MetroAtlanta, and from across the South, will assemble in opposition to a neo-Nazi rally in Newnan, set for April 21.

The National Socialist Movement, a neo-Nazi group, has been approved to rally at Greenville Street Park in downtown Newnan 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.

"The NoNaziNewnan Coalition has called for visible protest against the National Socialist Movement’s rally in Newnan," reads an email from the group to Patch. "We encourage all residents and anti-racists to join us in the streets on April 21. We refuse to be silent while neo-Nazis armed with poles and shields rally at Greenville Street Park with the City’s permission."

"City of Newnan authorities have lectured their residents about not protesting the National Socialist Movement," continues the statement. "The City has further ignored outcry from locals to cancel the event. Residents argue correctly that attracting violent neo-Nazis to the area will place people in danger. The #NoNaziNewnan Coalition believes that ignoring white supremacist events does not make these groups go away and does not keep anyone safe.What is needed is a large-scale display of unity and community vigilance against organized white supremacists."

Newnan Police are are aware of the protests and have also released a statement.

"We are aware of the proposed protest on April 21st and are engaged in preparations for the event and traffic concerns," according to Deputy Chief Mark Cooper. "The National Socialist Movement has filed for and received a permit at Greenville Street Park from 3 to 5 p.m."

"We are working with other local, state and federal agencies in an effort to ensure the safety of ALL those involved. Our strategies are planned to reduce the chance of physical altercations and minimize the risk of personal injury or property damage."

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.

Recognizing that NSM was the same neo-Nazi group that was involved in the Charlottesville, Va., rally in 2017, the NoNaziNewnan Coalition wants to protest the introduction of those elements to Newnan.

"The National Socialist Movement – alongside their allies in the “Nationalist Front” white power coalition – were major participants in the “Unite the Right” white nationalist rampage in Charlottesville,Virginia last August. Those who were outraged by brutal beatings and murder committed by white supremacists at Charlottesville in August,must now stand up and speak out when the same forces rally in Georgia.

"We criticize the City of Newnan for treating anti-racist protest as the real problem, while they facilitate a neo-Nazi show of force. Anticipating a large community and anti-racist turnout, the#NoNaziNewnan Coalition has moved its protest starting time forward half an hour to 1:30 p.m.

Further information is available on twitter.com/afainatl and via the #NoNaziNewnan hashtag on social media.

“We expect hundreds of protesters to stand against the National Socialist Movement and organized white supremacists this Saturday,” says #NoNaziNewnan organizer Oliver. “Our call to action has been endorsed by nineteen organizations, and numbers grow daily. Support and participation by the Newnan community is especially important. If you feel shamed or silenced by Newnan authorities surrounding the up coming neo-Nazi rally, join the protest and make your voice heard this Saturday.”

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Photo courtesy NoNaziNewnan Coalition
Photo 2 courtesy National Socialist Movement