It was a war of words on the grounds of the Texas Capitol this Veterans Day.
Hundreds of protestors showed up to counter-demonstrate against fewer than 20 members of the National Socialist Movement, a neo-Nazi group based in Minnesota.
The two sides yelled back and forth at each other for about two hours. The rally and protest was no place for children. The language was strong, as were some of the signs.
"This is what makes this country beautiful. They're out there spouting their message of ignorance and hate and we are out here countering it. That's freedom of speech. It's all a matter of who has the larger voice, and right now, I think they're outnumbered," counter protestor Geoffrey Greer said.
The neo-Nazis said they were there to speak out against illegal immigration. But according to the Anti-Racist Action Network, the group that organized the counter-demonstration, the National Socialist Movement was going to speak out against gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman, who is Jewish. But the election was four days ago.
 |  |
 | |  |
| | | | | | | |
Neo-Nazi rally
News 8 Austin's Reagan Hackleman reports from the State Capitol.
 
| | |
| | | | | |
|
"If we have the freedom of expression then we're here to test it," Tim Bishop of the National Socialist Movement said.
More than 100 law enforcement officers from the Austin Police Department and the Department of Public Safety were on hand, some standing guard in riot gear. A helicopter even patrolled the skies.
Neither group had a permit to gather at the Capitol.
"Because of the health and the safety of all the people that use the Capitol and the Capitol grounds, we took the appropriate measures to make sure that everyone’s security was intact," DPS trooper Garry Parker said.
The neo-Nazis ended their protest about two hours later, but instead of leaving, they entered the State Capitol. After that it was mad dash by the other protesters to find them.
But the members of the National Socialist Movement seemed to have disappeared. The remaining counter protesters then turned their attention to cheering on a newlywed couple who came to take pictures in their wedding gown and tuxedo.
