Armed white men showed up to intimidate kids at #MarchForOurLives rallies — it didn’t work
Nationwide protests swept America today, as a teenager-led protest against the epidemic of mass shootings.
But as with most protests, there were counter-protests. Gun-lovers in red Trump hats showed up at many of the rallies carrying AR-15s and sidearms, an effort they dubbed “March For Our Guns.”
A search of social media finds images of heavily armed people—including Utahans in a military-style vehicle with a mounted machine gun—showing up to rallies.
And yet none have reported to have been marred by violence and the speakers were not intimidated.
Here are some of the counter-protestors who showed up around the country.
A man in Austin showed up carrying a gun, a Gadsden flag and apparently wearing ear protection so he wouldn’t hear what the people he came to protest had to say.
Open carry dude crashing the #MarchforOurLives in Austin. Think he came to listen? pic.twitter.com/iTp0fDyURl
— Matt Valentine (@germanglasseye) March 24, 2018
Another man showed up in Austin with an AR-15.
At the #marchforourlives in Austin and bc TX is an open carry state these assholes decided to carry their AR-15s to let us know we were “using dead children” to take away their guns pic.twitter.com/gSJNO7GBXd
— (((Councilwoman Leslie Knope))) (@senatormallin) March 24, 2018
In Fort Worth, police surrounded a counter-protestor taunting children using a megaphone.
Fort Worth Police have formed a protective circle around 2 counter protesters using a microphone to disrupt the city’s #MarchForOurLives event which is about to get underway pic.twitter.com/hlRDEBp0jZ
— J.D. Miles (@jdmiles11) March 24, 2018
In Boston, police also surrounded the right-wing counter protestors as they made their way around the rally.
Counter-protesters exit the #MarchForOurLives rally. Throughout the entire rally police officers surrounded them, using their bikes as barriers. pic.twitter.com/SpSdl6JU0F
— Javier Rodriguez (@WEBNtvRodriguez) March 24, 2018
In Phoenix, a man with an AR-15 said that if the teens attack, “I will attack back.”
Counter protestors are out here in Arizona. One man brought an AR-15 and says he plans to be peaceful but said “if they attack I will attack back.” He says those saying gun violence is on the rise is “fake news.” #MarchForOurLives #azfamily pic.twitter.com/S8FezA496R
— Briana Whitney (@BrianaWhitney) March 24, 2018
A little different aura here in PHX.
2A advocates counter protesting – in their AR-15 way. #MarchForOurLivesPHX #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/iONNhfWQHG
— Dan Munro (@danmunro) March 24, 2018
In Salt Lake City, the counter-protestors favored sidearms.
At a #MarchForOurLives counter-protest in Salt Lake City, some demonstrators were armed: @sltrib https://t.co/yfyDZkGlUf pic.twitter.com/lkQVi92E8Z
— The Trace (@teamtrace) March 24, 2018
Some counter-protestors in Salt Lake City wore masks.
At a #MarchForOurLives counter-protest in Salt Lake City, some demonstrators were armed: @sltrib https://t.co/yfyDZkGlUf pic.twitter.com/lkQVi92E8Z
— The Trace (@teamtrace) March 24, 2018
Some in Utah also had military-style vehicles mounted with machine guns.
A counter-protest to the #MarchForOurLives event in Utah, where protesters are calling for armed teachers and speaking against gun control (📷: AP) https://t.co/8bzvEGx9Yu pic.twitter.com/mW0CN9P6pf
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) March 24, 2018
In Pennsylvania, a man showed up with an assault rifle and his dog—the dog’s head was hung low.
At a #MarchForOurLives march in Greensburg, PA. I wonder who this gentleman is & what his family, friends, colleagues, co-workers & employer would think of this. If it’s an open carry state, he’s well within his rights. But it’s still a good & interesting question dontcha think? pic.twitter.com/xUmdyIjy9S
— TXWomenRESIST (@resist_tx) March 24, 2018
In El Paso a small group of counter-protestors included a girl in a pink hoodie who did not appear to be completely thrilled to have her photograph taken.
Small group of counter protesters from #OCT (Open Carry Texas) here at San Jacinto for the #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/1Z9qcTlobV
— NewsChannel9 El Paso (@KTSMtv) March 24, 2018


















