White supremacist group to march Saturday; Latino group to stage counter-protest

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A white supremacist group is scheduled to march in Uptown this weekend.

Members of the National Socialist Movement said they are neither a hate group nor neo-Nazis.

They said they're marching to rally against illegal immigrants and the poor economy.

"Right now Charlotte's most growing population is the Latino population," said Frederick Cook, organizer of the event. "And the illegal immigrants are greatly contributing to that."

The Latin American Coalition has set up a counter-protest at the same time and place.

Members said they'll wear clown masks to show how "absurd" the demonstration is.

"It's shocking," said Jess George of the Latin American Coalition. "But it's something that we can't ignore, because it's so absurd. We have to call it on its absurd and ridiculous nature."

Police said they are aware of the planned rallies, but wouldn't give details on any security plan.

Both groups have permits from the city.

WSOC