Four people were stabbed in Washington, D.C. this weekend when pro-Trump protesters fought with counterprotesters. Social media videos show that protesters were wearing the colors and insignia of the Proud Boys, a far-right white supremacist organization.
Black Lives Matter signs were torn down from two historic Black churches in D.C., and then destroyed by pro-Trump protesters. D.C. police are investigating the events as potential hate crimes.
In one video on Twitter, Proud Boys held a Black Lives Matter banner above their heads as they marched and cheered as they set it on fire and yelled “f— antifa”.
“Last night demonstrators who were part of the MAGA gatherings tore down our Black Lives Matter sign and literally burned it in the street,” the Rev. Ianther M. Mills, the church’s senior pastor, said in a statement. “It pained me especially to see our name, Asbury, in flames. For me it was reminiscent of cross burnings.”
Janeese Lewis George, member-elect of the D.C. Council, tweeted about the video of the pro-Trump protesters setting the Black Lives Matter banner on fire.
“Tonight, violent white supremacists stole and burned a Black Lives Matter banner from Asbury United Methodist, the oldest Black Methodist church in DC,” she tweeted. “But yet no militarized police force used against them. There are two justice systems in this country, separate and unequal.”
According to permits for the Saturday events, the march was organized in part by Million MAGA March and Women for America First, two right-wing, pro-Trump organizations.
Sources: NBC News 12/12/20; NBC News 12/13/20; Washington Post 12/13/20; Twitter 12/12/20; Twitter 12/12/20; NBC Washington 12/12/20