PHOENIX, AZ -- A scuffle ensued Saturday when members of the National Socialist Movement (Neo-Nazis) found themselves shut out of an anti-immigration Tea Party protest at the Phoenix capitol.
American Citizens United, who organized the Phoenix Tea Party rally, told the Neo-Nazi group that racist messages were not welcome at the demonstration. The Neo-Nazis left, but two returned, standing defiantly on the sidewalk that borders the designated protest area.
When JT Ready, one of the Neo-Nazis tried to unfurl an Adolf Hitler flag, one of the event organizers became enraged and tried to rip the flag from Ready's hands. The other Neo-Nazi was holding a Confederate flag and a sign that read, "Bring our soldiers home, and put them on the Mexican border." Ready responded by shoving the organizer, sending him tumbling to the ground several feet away.
Police quickly intervened, and no one was hurt.
Video shot by Phoenix Channel 3 News, shows the event unfold, and the Neo-Nazi can be seen screaming throughout the incident, "You can't assult me! You can't assault me!" Then, after police intervene, he yells, "If you assault me, I get to assault you."
Watch the video from Phoenix Channel 3 News :
Ironically, New Times columnist Stephen Lemons, a stalwart activist for immigrants, was also asked to leave.
The Phoenix rally was one of dozens of similar demonstrations hosted across the country today by American Citizens United to voice opposition to immigration reform legislation that could be introduced into Congress as early as next month.
Police estimated that more than 200 protestors attended the rally.