'Back The Blue' Organizers Deny Affiliation With Hate Group

ARLINGTON, MA — The organizers of a pro-police rally in Arlington have disavowed any affiliation with a hate group, Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine said Wednesday. Town leaders had expressed concern over the "Back the Blue" demonstration, given what they believed to be a connection between the organizers and a controversial group known as "Act for America."

The organization has been labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League. Chapdelaine said he hopes drawing a distinction between rally organizers and "Act for America" will result in a peaceful demonstration Thursday.

"I'd further add that the group organizing Thursday's event may want to reconsider operating under a name that is nearly identical to the name of a hate group," Chapdelaine said. "In this world of 'dog whistles' and virtue signaling, we all need to be careful with our words if we want our messages to be heard clearly."

The rally is set to take place Thursday on Town Hall Plaza. A counter-protest is planned at Whittemore Park.

Town leaders had previously pointed to an apparent link between organizers and the hate group when expressing their concern over the "Back the Blue" rally.