One Arrested at ‘White Lives Matter’ Rally in Shelbyville as Police Maintain Order

One arrest was made at the “White Lives Matter” rally in Shelbyville today, reports WTVC NewsChannel 9.

“Reporters on the scene said the man was protesting on the white nationalist side of the rally. The man’s father has since reached out to Fox 17 News and said his son was a counter-protester,” according to NewsChannel 9.

Around 200 to 300 white nationalists were demonstrating at the event, and the number of counter demonstrators was nearly double that, according to WTVC. There were no reports of counter demonstrators getting out of line. Some stood with signs reading “Black Lives Matter,” “Refugees Welcome” and “No Hate in Our State.” Others cursed at the white nationalists, who chanted “Blood and Soil” and other slogans.

The Shelbyville event, which started mid-morning, is wrapping up, but a similar white nationalist rally is planned for Murfreesboro this afternoon. The rallies were organized by the League of the South and allied groups.

Law enforcement in both Shelbyville and Murfreesboro had planned in advance to be out in force to prevent the rallies from spiraling out of control as happened in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August.

Many in Middle Tennessee have denounced the white nationalist groups in recent days, including government and church leaders.