Members of the group have rebranded themselves the “American Identity Movement.”

r/The_Donald

Several members of the pro-Trump subreddit r/The_Donald say they are planning to attend the Fourth of July festivities in DC too. In discussions about the event on the Reddit, they debated whether or not their concealed carry pistol permits would be honored in country’s capital, or if they should be bringing bats and sticks disguised as flagpoles instead.

Those messages were quickly deleted by moderators. Reddit recently ”quarantined” the channel behind a special notice for inciting violence.

Anti-fascists

Counter-protesters known collectively as Antifa, for anti-fascists, are organizing in response to the Proud Boys rally, and are planning a demonstration July 6 across the street from the Freedom Plaza. “Whether in bulletproof vests, police badges, MAGA hats, or in khakis, fascists thrive when we look the other way,” the All Out DC website proclaimed. Black Lives Matter and other national movements are promoting the counter-protests on their social media channels.

 

The US Park Police, one of the federal law enforcement agencies responsible for security the Independence Day event, said it is aware of the various rallies and protests, and have plenty of officers on the ground to keep things from getting out of hand.

It doesn’t mean more officers on duty, however. As a spokesman told Quartz: “Every Park Police officer always works on July 4th.”

This article has been updated with comment from Right Ring Watch.

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