8A = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2002
Contributed Photo
Members of the National Socialist Movement hold a demonstration in support of "white unity" Saturday on the steps of the Statehouse in Topeka, Hundreds showed up to protest the group, which advocates white supremacy.
White supremacist rally meets with solid opposition
The Associated Press
TOPEKA — White supremacists shouted racist slogans and insults from the top of the State-house steps Saturday but were greeted by overwhelming rounds of protests, boos and jeers.
Twenty members of the National Socialist Movement, based in Minneapolis, Minn., held a "white unity" rally. About 50 supporters watched, mostly listening quietly with an occasional chorus of "white power."
But several hundred people protested. The NAACP and civic leaders had a counter-rally at a nearby state office building, but dozens were on the Statehouse grounds, holding signs, booing and chanting, "Liar" and "Go
home."
Two speakers held Nazi flags One held a sign saying, "Hitler was right." They gave the stiffarm Nazi salute and punctuated their speeches with shouts of "white power" and "seig heil."
Tied between the pillars was a banner: "Kansas values ethnic diversity." Gov. Graves."
Though tensions ran high, the day went largely without incident. There were only two arrests on unrelated outstanding misdemeanor warrants. Orange fences were erected to keep the opposing groups separated.
About 350 law enforcement officers, led by the Kansas Highway Patrol, patrolled the area.
After the rally, Matt Hale, of East Peoria, Ill., leader of the seg-
regationist World Church of the Creator, said organizers chose Kansas because they thought it fertile ground for their cause.
"It's the heartland of America." he said. "If our movement plays well in Kansas, it plays well everywhere."
Law enforcement officials estimated both groups numbered about 350; other estimates put the number of counter-demonstrators alone at about 500.
The counter-demonstrators were a diverse group, as noted by Harold Simmons, of Kansas City, Kan. president of the National Baptist Laymen's Movement.
Members of the NAACP and other groups mounted a counterprotest where love, tolerance and acceptance were preached.
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