Anti-Sharia marches
© David Ryder / Reuters ‘Anti-Sharia’ marches & counter protests held nationwide (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
Counter-protesters hold signs and shout slogans during an anti-Sharia rally in Seattle, Washington, US, June 10, 2017

Comment: This may be one of the most interesting displays of public opinion we've seen in the US in many years; a fascinating cross-section of different groups holding different ideological and political views are using the occasion to express themselves and rail against 'the other side'.


Marches in opposition to Islamic law have kicked off in numerous cities across the United States. The alt-right rallies drew counter protesters from the far-left political spectrum.

The March against Sharia kicked off in dozens locations, including New York city, Chicago, Seattle, Atlanta, Orlando and other cities across the United States on Saturday.

The March was organized by the ACT! for America movement, a political group which claims to be the "nation's largest nonprofit, non-partisan, grassroots national security organization with 525,000 members and 1,000 volunteer groups."

The organization said that main aim of the marches "are in support of basic human rights for all - and against the horrific treatment of women, children, and members of the LGBTQ community that is sanctioned by Sharia law," and do not seek to "attack or intimidate based on race, religion, or sexual orientation."


Despite the proclaimed goals, some protesters have shown up carrying explicit anti-Muslim slogans.



Heavily armed members of anti-government "patriot movement," the Three Percenters, have been spotted at the march in Atlanta.



Members of far-right anti-government group, the Oath Keepers, are on "patrol" in the area around city hall in Seattle.


Members of the "Blue lives matter" pro-police movement during the March against Sharia in the New York City.


An Anarchy-Capitalism adept at the anti-Sharia rally in NYC.


The alt-right marches attracted counter protesters with far-left political views.


Counter-protesters in Seattle appear to vastly outnumber the anti-Sharia march.

The counter march is being held under slogan, "We stand with our Muslim neighbors."


In Seattle, counter-protesters are carrying flags of the so-called Free Syrian Army.



Comment: Where are the pro-Assad protesters here?



Members of the white nationalist group Identity Evropa spotted during several marches across the US.




While the alt-right marches and counter-protests progressed quite peacefully, a number of people have reportedly been arrested in several locations.


Far-left protesters attacked several anti-Sharia marchers in Seattle. Police pepper sprayed the brawling crowd and at least one person, reportedly carrying a firearm, was arrested.