A protest at the California capitol in Sacramento between a white nationalist group and opponents turned violent on Sunday, leaving several people injured with serious stab wounds.
Ten people were taken to hospitals with stabbing wounds or lacerations —some of them suffering serious trauma, according to the Sacramento Fire Department. They were expected to survive, the Associated Press reported.
The rally was initially organized by the Traditionalist Worker Party, a white nationalist group. Opponents also used social media to organize against neo-Nazi beliefs.
Matthew Heimbach, chairman and founder of Traditionalist Worker Party, told BuzzFeed News the group planned to hold a peaceful event but encountered violence as soon as they arrived near the capitol.
“As soon as our men left the parking garage, 200 anti-fascists armed with bricks and bats attacked our men. Our men stood our ground, and our comrades refused to give an inch," Heimbach said.
Heimbach — who is “considered by many to be the face of a new generation of white nationalists,” according to the Southern Poverty Law Center — said the “anti-fascists committed attempted murder” against members of the group.