Concord Police Investigating ‘Altercation’ Between Neo-Nazis, Bystander In City’s Downtown

CONCORD, NH — Police and the state’s civil rights division are investigating and monitoring the appearance of neo-Nazis in Downtown Concord on Saturday and a possible altercation.

Police were called to the downtown area to investigate a report of an altercation that occurred around 1:30 p.m. When they arrived, officers found a group “of about 20 people dressed alike and wearing facemasks” on Main Street, according to a police statement. One member of the group was carrying black flags with white Swastikas on them. Other reports stated two of the marchers held a sign saying “Trump Loves Epstein” at the Statehouse.

The group reportedly marched from the Statehouse, where a “Rage Against the Regime” political protest was taking place, to the area of Waters Funeral Home on South Main Street.

“It was also reported that an altercation took place between a bystander and people involved with the march,” police said.

Officers spoke to several individuals involved and the group left the area 2 p.m., reportedly in a U-Haul van, according to comments online.

“No arrests were made at that time,” police said, “however, this is an active investigation and the department expects to release more information soon.”

Michael Garrity, the director of communications for the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, said the department’s civil rights unit was “aware and actively monitoring the ongoing investigation by the Concord Police Department at this time.”

The political group, NH 50501, released a statement Saturday night saying their event “proceeded peacefully, despite the unexpected appearance” of the “uninvited group identified as Nazis.”

They reported approximately 18 people in front of the Statehouse while they were meeting nearby. The group, which said it was “unequivocally committed to non-violent, peaceful protest” and believed “in enacting change through peaceful, actionable solutions,” called the appearance of the neo-Nazis “not only unsolicited but directly counter to everything our movement stands for,” and there, they believed, to disrupt their event. Organizers then used a megaphone to drown them out while also playing anti-fascist music and messages.

The group denied being involved in any altercation with the neo-Nazis after they left the area and a review of video footage indicated the altercation occurred after they left the Statehouse area.

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