With a neo-Nazi group planning to hold a rally in downtown Rome on April 23, many area residents want to show them they aren’t welcome here.
Alvin Jackson, Political Action Committee chairman of the Rome-Floyd County NAACP, said he wants the community to put up a solid front against the group.
It shouldn’t be an NAACP-led movement, he said.
He and others are speaking with local churches and community organizations in hopes of having them all join together.
The Michigan-based neo-Nazi group National Socialist Movement has scheduled its afternoon rally in front of City Hall.
The Southern Poverty Law Center classifies the NSM as an “extremist organization,” calling it the largest and most prominent neo-Nazi group in the United States.
Lindale resident Brian Michael Hill has created a petition on MoveOn.org and plans to present it to Mayor Jamie Doss.
The petition, “Romans Against ‘White Rights’ Rally,” had 327 signatures by early Sunday morning.
It states, “We will not stand for bigotry and ignorance in our city.”
While the goal is to put pressure on city officials to keep NSM from coming to town, City Manager Sammy Rich said city code allows for freedom of assembly and speech. As long as the rally stays peaceful and lawful, the group will be allowed to meet.
“The city can’t just deny anybody a permit,” City Attorney Andy Davis said.
Anyone who wants to protest or have a rally can do so, as long as they follow the city ordinance, which requires a permit. The First Amendment to the Constitution protects freedom of peaceful assembly and speech, Davis said.
Rome Police Maj. Debbie Burnett confirmed that the National Socialist Movement requested and received an application for a permit.
“As long as they’re peaceful, don’t do anything illegal and don’t incite a riot, we do approve it,” Burnett said. “We do monitor for safety and compliance.”
Doss, however, did have a message for the neo-Nazis: “Find another city,” Doss said.
