An LGBTQ+ Pride celebration in Athens, Georgia, was disrupted over the weekend after a group of men carrying a Nazi swastika flag marched through the city’s downtown area while shouting hate speech.
Videos obtained by Atlanta News First from the 6 June event showed individuals dressed in black and red carrying a large swastika flag. The group reportedly used homophobic, antisemitic and racist language as they moved through the area.
Witnesses said members of the group performed Nazi salutes and shouted “Heil Hitler” while passing through Athens Pride festivities.
Attendees and organisers told Atlanta News First that the demonstration appeared to be deliberately targeting the LGBTQ+ event.
State Representative Eric Gisler, who was attending the parade, described the display as “disgusting” and “sick” in a statement to Atlanta News First. He also noted that participants ultimately refused to engage with the demonstrators.
Organisers reportedly responded by placing themselves between the group and the parade, holding a sign that read: “Joy is louder than hate.”
In a statement, the Athens Pride and Queer Collective, which organised the parade, said the group’s appearance was intended to “intimidate, divide, and spread fear”, but failed to overshadow the celebration.
Organisers said local police monitored the demonstrators throughout the afternoon. While the group eventually left the area without serious violence, one organiser reported that some physical contact occurred between demonstrators and attendees.
Despite the disruption, organisers and participants said the Pride event continued with a strong sense of community, solidarity and joy.
“People chose not to engage with these individuals and their reprehensible ideology,” Gisler said.
“They were there to have a good time, show support for each other and for the community.”
The incident has highlighted the ongoing reality of extremist intimidation at LGBTQ+ events, but Athens Pride organisers said the community’s response showed that hate would not define the day.
