Neo-Nazi group demonstrates on Tennessee overpass

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – A neo-Nazi group demonstrated on an overpass overlooking Interstate 65 on Monday afternoon.

The group identified themselves as the Goyim Defense League, which, according to the Anti-Defamation League is, “…is a loose network of individuals connected by their virulent antisemitism.”

An officer with the Metro Nashville Police Department said several officers responded to the area after multiple 911 calls. The group then hung a banner/sign on the overpass.

The group began packing up to leave as officers went to respond.

Over the weekend, two people were arrested after a protestor carrying a Nazi flag used his flagpole to strike a downtown bar employee, according to MNPD. Police arrested 29-year-old Ryan Scott McCann of Ontario, Canada. He was charged with felony aggravated assault after using his flagpole to hit the bartender, 19-year-old Deago Buck.

Police said Buck had just been involved in a fight with members of a presumed Neo-Nazi protest group.

McCann was part of the group who carried Nazi flags and “spread white supremacist rhetoric” on Broadway and 3rd Avenue on Sunday afternoon, police said.

The group left Broadway and headed south on 3rd Avenue. As they walked, Buck got into a fight with one of the protestors, police said.

As the parties became separated, McCann hit Buck in the face and ribs with the flagpole.

“Chief John Drake condemned the hate being spread by the Neo-Nazi group,” MNPD said in a press release. “He expressed his appreciation to the MNPD officers who spent their late afternoon/early evening monitoring the group’s activities.”

A week ago, a hate group of white supremacists took over parts of downtown Nashville with what’s being called a ‘disturbing’ march.

The group that marched past city hall is called Patriot Front. The Southern Poverty Law Center has designated the group as a white nationalist hate group. The Anti-Defamation League also said its members believe their ancestors conquered America and left it for only them.

Around 200 members wearing masks walked across Lower Broadway and through downtown Nashville on Saturday carrying confederate flags and upside-down American flags. Metro Nashville government officials said they did not have a permit but proceeded to block off roads on their own.

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