Police presence at neo-Nazi rally

There appears to be some confusion about the police presence at Saturday's rally by the National Socialist Movement, a neo-Nazi group. City manager Jeff Parker incorrectly announced at last night's city council meeting that over 400 cops were on hand. It was more like 120. Here's a break down of the numbers:

LA County police: 39
Neighboring Foothill Communities: 53
Claremont police: 27
NSM members: about 30
Counter protesters: 400 to 500

The mutual aid officers from outside the city “did not cost the citizens of Claremont a dime,” Parker said. However, many of Claremont's sworn officers were paid overtime for working the event at a cost of $9,600 to the city.

Neo-Nazi rally tomorrow

Everyone seems to be talking about tomorrow's neo-Nazi rally at the corner of Indian Hill and Foothill Boulevards.

A group of 10 to 50 members of the National Socialist Movement will hold a rally from noon to 2 p.m. According to NSM spokesman Jeff Hall, the group objects to an "open border policy" being promoted at the Claremont Colleges and the nearby day laborer camp in Pomona.

In the past, NSM rallies in Riverside have attracted counter-protesters from the Claremont Colleges. A counter-protest is also being organized tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Memorial Park. According to their Facebook Page, the counter protesters will have over 2,000 participants. It will more likely be in the hundreds.

Let's hope things remain peaceful. According to Claremont Police Lieutenant Jon Traber, NSM members are very effective at antagonizing counter-protesters, who end up getting arrested. Meanwhile, the heavily outnumbered neo-Nazis are very careful to avoid breaking any laws themselves and rely on police for protection. Videos of their rallies often end up on the news or on Youtube and help them recruit more members in the area.