Neo-fascist group Patriot Front parades Confederate flag in Washington DC on Fourth of July | Washington DC
Hundreds of masked men carrying banners including the Confederate flag marched in Washington, D.C., on July 4, the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
The group appeared to be led by Thomas Rousseau, founder of the neo-fascist, white supremacist organization Patriot Front. Members of the group gathered in front of D.C.’s Union Station wearing white masks. They then marched to WTOP Capitol Hill reported.
Members chanted “Life, freedom, victory!” shouted slogans. and “Take Back America!” during the Saturday demonstration, according to video posted on social media.
Footage published by Reuters also showed masked members boarding the DC Metro as fellow passengers looked on warily.
The white supremacist group’s gathering attracted some counterprotesters. A man with a megaphone in a video he shouted To members of the Patriotic Front: “Every single one of you is legitimizing the fucking right to abortion.”
In a comment Shared with Politico At Saturday’s march, the D.C. Metropolitan police department said it was “monitoring the first amendment activities that occurred this morning in the Eastern Market neighborhood,” adding: “MPD recognizes the rights of individuals to peacefully express their views and is committed to maintaining public safety and security for D.C. residents and visitors.”
Members of the Patriot Front were last seen walking along the oceanfront of Virginia Beach, local affiliate 13News Now, over Memorial Day weekend reported.
Patriot Front was founded in 2017 following the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The neo-fascist hate group has gained visibility over the years as those affiliated with white supremacist organizations have been widely embraced by the Trump administration.
In 2022, an expert on extremist groups told the Guardian that Patriot Front’s fundraising and mobilization efforts resembled those of a media production company.
“No other white supremacist group operating in the United States today can match Patriot Front’s ability to produce media, mobilize nationwide, and secure funding,” said Morgan Moon, an investigative researcher at the ADL Center on Extremism. “That’s what makes them a particular concern.”
Recently, the leader of the Patriot Front claimed that he was part of relief efforts following last year’s deadly flooding in central Texas.
Saturday’s march comes as Trump condemned the so-called “communist threat” in America in a highly partisan speech to kick off celebrations of the United States’ 250th birthday. The White House did not respond to the Guardian’s request for comment on whether Trump would condemn the latest march.
