The tweet below popped up late last night. Bystanders to this demonstration proved that white supremacist flash mobs are not exactly welcome in the birthplace of the nation:
Daniel Politi has more at Slate:
Around 150 white supremacists marched in front of Philadelphia City Hall late on Saturday night. The marchers were part of the Patriot Front, a known white supremacist group based in Texas, and they wore white face coverings while waving flags and shields. Some also carried signs that read “Reclaim America” and chanted “the election was stolen” while they marched. Police said none of the marchers were from Philadelphia.
Philadelphians along the route were not amused.
It seems the white supremacists had their march cut short by angry onlookers who made their feelings clear about having white supremacists openly espousing their views on the streets of Philadelphia. The onlookers started yelling at the protesters and there were a few scuffles with the white supremacists. A witness said the marchers often tossed smoke bombs and then used that as a cover to hit and kick counterprotesters. Although police were present, they apparently didn’t get really involved as counterportesters and white supremacists traded blows.
After a brief demonstration, Patriot Front beat a hasty retreat.
The Anti-Defamation League defines the Patriot Front as “a white supremacist group whose members maintain that their ancestors conquered America and bequeathed it solely to them.” Patriot Front members are known to organize “localized flash mob demonstrations,” which is what appears to have taken place in Philadelphia on Saturday night.
The bunch arrived and departed in a series or Penske trucks. Police stopped the trucks on their way to downtown, searched and released those inside, including Patriot Front founder Thomas Rousseau. In the USA obnoxious is not illegal.