In a follow-up to the #March4Trump rallies held across the country earlier this month, supporters of the president scheduled pro-Trump marches again this weekend, and of course, “the resistance” had to do its thing.
The Antifa — “anti-fascists” who cover their faces, wear identical black hoodies, and occasionally resort to violence to shut down speech they find objectionable — were out in force as well.
#maga #trump Philadelphia police quickly separated Trump marchers and those opposed to the rally. pic.twitter.com/k0MRWA667t
— Bob Fernandez (@bobfernandez1) March 25, 2017
Joshua Scott Albert of Mass Appeal and Bob Fernandez of the Philadelphia Inquirer were on the scene.
I'll be reporting all day from a pro-Trump rally v. anti-Trump rally in downtown Philly. Hundreds from both sides expected. Gonna be …fun?
— Joshua Scott Albert (@jpegjoshua) March 25, 2017
I'm covering #trump #maga for @PhillyInquirer. Says organizer of what NOT to bring/wear: "Pussy" hats. Black clothes. Masks. Hate signs.
— Bob Fernandez (@bobfernandez1) March 25, 2017
#Philly right now pic.twitter.com/kDJKwpkQSq
— Joshua Scott Albert (@jpegjoshua) March 25, 2017
“Any time, any place, punch a Nazi in the face,” the mostly peaceful protesters chanted.
Protesters set of some sort of smoking device pic.twitter.com/xJsmW0WZ5X
— Joshua Scott Albert (@jpegjoshua) March 25, 2017
Smoke devices being used by Anti-Trump protestors. Group vocal but so far peaceful. pic.twitter.com/z821GD5jNE
— Thomas J. Nestel III (@TNestel3) March 25, 2017
American flags on fire. pic.twitter.com/HdubjghjGk
— Joshua Scott Albert (@jpegjoshua) March 25, 2017
Things escalated for a bit. For now black black march just circling block where pro-trump rally is. Continuing you to smoke things off. pic.twitter.com/EuqsDpfM5q
— Joshua Scott Albert (@jpegjoshua) March 25, 2017
Apparently the pro-Trump march is canceled. Antifa march moving again.
— Joshua Scott Albert (@jpegjoshua) March 25, 2017
According to Philly.com, police did cancel the MAGA march due to safety fears; however, the march was back on not much later, after pro-Trump demonstrators argued that they were the ones who had paid for the permits to march, not these folks:
#trump #maga Anti-Trumper. pic.twitter.com/uQURTWhQRG
— Bob Fernandez (@bobfernandez1) March 25, 2017
#maga Philly #Trump march underway after police delay. Now passing 10th & Market.
— Bob Fernandez (@bobfernandez1) March 25, 2017
Things escalating pic.twitter.com/xwpyz5Netb
— Joshua Scott Albert (@jpegjoshua) March 25, 2017
Also joining in was a swarm of (what appears to be mostly) kids on bikes. It’s worth tilting your head sideways for a bit.
300 kids on bikes joined antifa march. Craziest thing I've ever seen pic.twitter.com/ZP8R3f9pfP
— Joshua Scott Albert (@jpegjoshua) March 25, 2017
Pro-Trump protesters march outside of City Hall. Well, this doesn't happen every day in Philadelphia… pic.twitter.com/am8tkvvUTz
— Angela Gervasi (@AngGervasi) March 25, 2017
Watch this @PhillyPolice officer hit this protester with his bike out of nowhere pic.twitter.com/uZ3Qt91FkH
— Joshua Scott Albert (@jpegjoshua) March 25, 2017
This is probably our favorite photo from the event, not for the main subject and his Pepe the Frog sign, but for the reactions from behind, intentional or not; that face palm to the far right says it all.
#Trump rally in Philadelphia has ended. Pro-Trump marchers did not make it all way to Art Museum.
— Bob Fernandez (@bobfernandez1) March 25, 2017
Good effort, though: