Businesses are planning to close and a church is planning a service on an upcoming Saturday afternoon in Newnan.
Those are among the security measures for a planned rally by the National Socialist Movement, which carries neo-Nazi and hate-group labels.
The group received a permit for Greenville Street Park from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 21.
MORE: Atlanta crime news
“We are working with other local, state and federal agencies in an effort to ensure the safety of ALL those involved,” Deputy police Chief Mark Cooper said. “Our strategies are planned to reduce the chance of physical altercations and minimize the risk of personal injury or property damage.”
Traffic detours and road closures will be in place the day of the event, and local, state and federal agencies will be in place to help keep things orderly, Cooper said.
“Our goal is to protect the First Amendment rights of all citizens and visitors to The City of Newnan” Cooper said.
Many downtown businesses plan to close that day due to the event, the Newnan Times-Herald reported. A church is planning a prayer event for 3 p.m.
The NSM is the largest neo-Nazi organization in the country, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which classifies NSM as a hate group.
The NSM was involved in the Charlottesville, Va., rally in 2017 in which one person was killed and others were injured.
Know what's really going on with crime and public safety in your metro Atlanta community, including breaking news, trial coverage, trends and the latest on unsolved cases. Sign up for the AJC's crime and safety newsletter delivered weekly to your inbox.
In other news:
About the Author
