Tense moment as heavily armed Trump supporters confront Black Lives Matter protesters

There have been tense scenes at a BLM protest after a ‘far-right militia’ showed up with semiautomatic guns to face off with demonstrators.

A gun-toting, ‘far-right militia’ group has clashed with Black Lives Matter protesters in Louisville, Kentucky, as anti-racism protests reached their fourth month in the embattled nation.

The heavily armed pro-Donald Trump group was pictured shoving guns in the faces of BLM activists amid tense scenes.

The town of Louisville was experiencing large crowds because of the Kentucky Derby, a popular horse race that had been delayed since May because of the coronavirus, causing protesters and counter-protesters to come out in force.

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Heavily armed white supremacist militias in the streets of Louisville today. https://t.co/Fw9fr0ZPQB

— Joshua Potash (@JoshuaPotash) September 5, 2020

Happening now at Cox Park: Hundreds gather with guns and American flags in hand. They tell us they’re here to protect Louisville from any destruction that they fear could come from today @WHAS11 pic.twitter.com/nQmRI3SurT

— Heather Fountaine (@WHAS11Heather) September 5, 2020

The Black Lives Matter protests, which have been going for more than 100 consecutive days across the USA, were initially sparked by the death of black man George Floyd while being arrested by a white police officer.

However, activists in Louisville protested with a new fervour yesterday as it is the home town of Breonna Taylor, a black medical technician who was fatally shot while sleeping in her bed by Louisville Metro Police Department officers in March in a botched and incorrect raid.

Protesters decided to use the Kentucky Derby as an opportunity to call for justice for Breonna, but the anti-BLM militia group had other ideas.

The Kentucky Derby attracted protesters and counter-protesters in their hundreds. Picture: Rob Carr

A counter-protester blows cigarette smoke in the face of a patriot militia member as he marches in support of local police officers in front of the Louisville, Kentucky, courthouse on September 5, 2020. Picture: Jeff Dean

Demonstrators argue in front of the Louisville Metro Hall on September 5, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Picture: Brandon Bell

Hundreds of far-right activists dressed in combat gear, waving American flags and Trump 2020 signs, and armed with semiautomatic weapons faced off with protesters in downtown Louisville.

The pro-Trump and pro-police demonstrators call themselves ‘The Angry Vikings’ and sell themselves a militia group, and vowed to defend the city from BLM activists.

The self-described ‘patriots’ cleared out a park full of BLM protesters and were filmed chanting “USA, USA”.

Members of patriot militias march in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 5, 2020, to fend off BLM protesters. Picture: Jeff Dean

A right-wing protester holds a gun casually while speaking with left-wing protesters in front of the Louisville Metro Hall on September 5, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Picture: Brandon Bell

The scenes are reminiscent of alleged teen shooter Kyle Rittenhouse taking to the streets with his rifle, which resulted in the death of two protesters.

Some protesters were also concerned about what would happen if a heavily-armed far-left group showed up — such as the self-described black armed militia, NFAC, and Until Freedom, both of which were among left-leaning groups planning rallies on Derby Day.

Members of the "Not F*cking Around Coalition" (NFAC), an all black militia, march during a rally to protest the killing of Breonna Taylor, in Louisville, Kentucky on July 25, 2020. Picture: Jeff Dean

In less than an hour police wearing riot gear came to the stand-off and cleared the park entirely.

However, police warned that they anticipated more protests to come and remain on high alert.