There was a showdown Saturday over a proposed state constitutional ban of same-sex marriage that put a small Ku Klux Klan group against a massive rally by opponents.
Only about a dozen members of the American White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan appeared at Austin City Hall for the group's “pro-family values'' rally. None wore the traditional hoods or robes of the white supremacist group. Some displayed Confederate flag symbols.
“Let's meet their hate with love and understanding,'' Glen Maxey, an openly gay former legislator and a leader of the counter demonstration, told hundreds of opponents as they marched toward the Klan event. "While our families and our abilities to care for each other is put up for a vote, I am uplifted by the love."
At issue was Proposition 2, a proposed constitutional amendment on Tuesday's election ballot stating that marriage in Texas is only between a man and a woman.
“We're asking Texans to support Proposition 2 because God supports it, not because the KKK supports it,'' Steven Edwards, the grand dragon of the Klan group, said.
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Proposition 2 rally
KKK members were met with thousands of counter demonstrators over Proposition 2.
 
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About 3,000 counter demonstrators were drawn to oppose the hate group at City Hall.
More than 200 police officers patrolled the area. Two arrests were made - one for an outstanding warrant and another for carrying a club and creating disturbance.
No violent incidents occurred, but that doesn't mean the group didn't impact the city. One downtown Austin resident, who witnessed the demonstration from her Second Street balcony, said it comes with a high cost to taxpayers.
"I think it's important for citizens of Austin to see the amount of resources that are being expended for an event that appeals to the worst in people. I thought Mayor Wynn said we were supposed to ignore the KKK. I think the opposite has happened here," Linda Fernandez said.
The head of the Texas Civil Rights Project, Jim Harrington, plans to file a lawsuit Monday morning against the city of Austin on behalf of anti-hate group demonstrators.
He said by keeping anti-Klan demonstrators blocks away from the plaza, the city effectively provided a public forum for the hate group, but denied the same for those demonstrating against them.
