Counter-protesters and protesters hear at conservative rally in Philadelphia

A conservative gathering on Saturday in Philadelphia will draw opponents of the protest movement as far right groups such as Proud Boys may appear. The "We the People" rally was scheduled to begin in the late morning and unfold at the Independence Mall in Philadelphia until early afternoon.

The Facebook page of the event describes it as a rally for the "silent majority," consisting of "Patriots, Militia, 3%, Constitutionally-loving Americans, good police officers, good police, pro-law, order, life, pro-American value, firearms and illegal anti-immigration ". The description of the event adds: "ITS [sic] IT'S TIME TO SHOW PHILLY WHAT PATRIOTISM IS REALLY !! "

Although the Facebook page states that "any form of violence, racism or hatred by a group or an individual is extremely forbidden", some fear that the gathering will become violent if groups violent ones of the right are manifested. The Proud Boys, a white male-only nationalist group whose members often attend white supremacist gatherings such as the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville in 2017, could make an appearance at the rally.

Some counter-demonstrations were organized, including one as part of the PushBack progressive campaign. The Facebook event of the counter-protest said "the inhabitants and allies of Philadelphia must oppose this escalating push of the far right in the culture and politics of the city" .

On Saturday morning, some counter-protesters arrived well before the rally. The police arrested at least one person.

Several counter protesters held placards with images of Gritty, the Philadelphia Flyers mascot, who was selected as an antifa symbol by some on the left. Daily Beast reporter Will Sommer tweeted photos of a homemade sign. About a dozen protesters came forward for the "We, the people", and they were much less numerous than the counter-protesters.

Max M. Marin, political editor and journalist for Billy Penn, posted a video to Twitter showing a so-called "proud boy" the whim while he was being taken away from the protest. The attacker was arrested and other riot police were sent to the Independence Mall, Marin said.