Aryan Nations members, demonstrators scuffle in Idaho

The Associated Press/July 4, 1999

Coeur D'Alene, Idaho -- Aryan Nations members and human rights activists scuffled at a downtown park on Saturday while the two groups engaged in a shouting match before a rally by the racist sect.

Police reported no violence or arrests.

The flare-up occurred when about 80 Aryan Nations members marched into the city park for a 3 p.m. rally and tried to shout down about 200 counterprotesters from the Jewish Defense League and several human rights groups who had gathered beforehand.

Police ringed the two groups as their members shouted and engaged in minor scuffles. The confrontation ended after an hour.

The Aryans are holding their annual convention at headquarters in nearby Hayden, and have scheduled a march in the area for July 10.