The group claimed that they were speaking out against the NAACP and Black Lives Matter, and several carried signs with white supremacy references.
— David Harris-Gershon (@David_EHG) August 22, 2016
"We came out here to protest against the NAACP and their failure in speaking out against the atrocities that organizations like Black Lives Matter and other pro-black organizations have caused the attack and killing of white police officers, the burning down of cities and things of that nature," protester Ken Reed told the Houston Chronicle. "If they're going to be a civil rights organization and defend their people, they also need to hold their people accountable."
The group, some of whom wore body armor, claimed that the weapons they carried were for self defense.
Held in a predominately black neighborhood, the white supremacists’ demonstration attracted a counter protest, and the two groups were kept separated by police barricades.
Following social media reports of the protest, the words “White Lives Matter” trended throughout the evening and into early Monday morning.
— Stocks (@Bmac0507) August 22, 2016
— X (@XLNB) August 22, 2016
— Mark Dice (@MarkDice) August 22, 2016
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) August 22, 2016