More than 200 people gathered late Saturday morning at the base of Old Joe, the monument to the Confederacy standing in the center of the Downtown Gainesville Square.
The demonstration was organized by the Northeast Georgia Democratic Socialists of America, but the group was far outnumbered by those opposed to their demonstration. The group was one of many that gathered at Confederate monuments across the country Saturday, calling for the removal of the symbols from public properties.
While there were heated exchanges among some of the people in attendance, there were also a number of calmer discussions during the hour the two groups spent on the downtown square.
The formal presentation by the handful of members of the Northeast Georgia Democratic Socialists of America lasted a little more than two minutes when opponents shouted down Brad Lathem, a math professor from the University of North Georgia who acted a spokesman for the group.
"This action is a response to the action in Charlottesville inspired by the 'Unite the Right' rally. We are responding to a call for action from The Movement [for] Black Lives to rally this Saturday, August 19, at Confederate monuments and other symbols of white supremacy across the nation," Lathem said.
Lathem told the crowd that the group in Gainesville was not acting alone, but was part of other DSA groups protesting across the South.
"When we see Nazis openly marching in the streets carrying flags with swastikas...," Lathem attempted to continue, but was shouted down by opponents.
"Nazis in Gainesville? Gainesville, Georgia? You're seeing Nazis in Gainesville?" various people shouted.
At that point, Lathem announced that the local group would leave for a private location.
As they left, walking toward their vehicles, there was applause and cheers from the crowd - from people on both sides of the argument - and the local DSA members chanted "No Nazis, no KKK, no racist USA."
The Gainesville Police Department, SWAT officers from the Hall County Sheriff's Office and the Georgia State Patrol had a strong presence at the demonstration, working to keep the two sides separated when the exchanges became too lively.
Police said there were no arrests.
Barricades remained in place around the Old Joe monument through the weekend.
Editor's note: Listen to WDUN's Morning Talk from 9-10 a.m. and the Afternoon News Wrap from 4 - 7 p.m. Monday, August 21 to hear audio conversations from Saturday's demonstration.
