Photos by Evie Carpenter
Police sprayed crowds of protesters, including ASU students, with tear gas to create a clearing for neo-Nazi marchers on West Jefferson Street around 3 p.m. Saturday.
Multiple ASU students protesting and reporting at the scene were hit by some of the tear gas after about 100 counter-protesters formed a human blockade to stop 40 to 50 neo-Nazis from reaching the Sandra Day O’Connor U.S. Courthouse at North Fourth Avenue and West Washington Street.
One ambulance was at the scene.
Protesters gathered for the blockade around 1 p.m. at South Eighth Avenue and East Jefferson Street, where they threw cans at the neo-Nazis before the march began. Police used shields, tear gas and paintball guns to push the counter-protesters back as the neo-Nazis made their way to the courthouse.
The counter-protest blockade dispersed but followed the marchers down Jefferson Street. Police continued to use tear gas until the marchers made it to the courthouse.
About 50 police officers were present.
Police public information officers did not respond immediately to calls and officers at the scene were not available for comment.
This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:
Correction: November 14, 2010
An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the Sandra Day O’Connor U.S. Courthouse was located at North Fourth and West Washington streets, rather than at North Fourth Avenue and West Washington Street. Also, the story stated that protesters gathered at South Eighth and East Jefferson streets, rather than at South Eighth Avenue and East Jefferson Street. The story has been corrected to reflect the actual location of the courthouse and the area where protesters gathered.
Contact the reporter at john.l.fitzpatrick@asu.edu
Contact the photographer at evie.carpenter@asu.edu
