Right-wing rally, counter protest at Rhode Island Capitol

By The Associated Press

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A right-wing group calling itself Resist Marxism is rallying at the Rhode Island state Capitol along with counter-protesters decrying the organization as a hate group.   

The Providence Freedom Rally, drew a larger police response Saturday than during a similar rally in August, during which several arrests were made and one man suffered a minor injury when he was hit in the neck by a bicycle lock.

The counter-protesters, under the banner “Ocean State Against Hate,” showed up several hours before the rally.

Freedom Rally attendees in August denied claims that they have ties to racism or white supremacy. The group said on its Facebook Page that Saturday’s rally was to celebrate freedom and promote traditional values and comes as those it opposes “advocate for disarming the populace and abolishing property rights.'”

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