Ethan Walker
On June 27, 2020, a violent clash between different groups of protesters in St. Louis, Missouri, sparked claims that Catholics were attacked by Black Lives Matter protesters. The incident occurred at a rally organized by far-right groups, including individuals associated with the Proud Boys and other white nationalist ideologies, to prevent the removal of a statue of King Louis IX. While videos and images circulated online showed instances of violence, the characterization of the event as an unprovoked attack on peaceful Catholics has been disputed. The presence of individuals with far-right and white nationalist affiliations within the Catholic group and the context of rising protests against racist statues following the murder of George Floyd have contributed to the complexity of this incident.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 27 June 2020 |
| Location | Art Hill, St. Louis, Missouri |
| Participants | Catholics, Black Lives Matter activists, Proud Boys, White nationalists, Muslim and Jewish activists |
| Reason | Protest over the removal of a statue of King Louis IX |
| Outcome | Violent confrontations, no serious injuries reported |
| Claims | Catholics were attacked for praying, Black Lives Matter activists were violent |
| Counter-claims | Catholics were not attacked for praying, the presence of hate groups |
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What You'll Learn
- Catholics and alt-right protestors clashed with anti-statue activists in Forest Park, St. Louis
- Violent confrontations erupted between different groups of protestors over the removal of a statue of King Louis IX
- Videos circulated online claiming Black Lives Matter activists attacked praying Catholics
- A man wearing a green shirt was attacked but he was not part of the Catholic contingent praying
- The prayer event was organized by the proprietor of a far-right conspiracy website
Catholics and alt-right protestors clashed with anti-statue activists in Forest Park, St. Louis
On the afternoon of Sunday, June 28, 2020, a group of Catholics and alt-right protestors gathered in Forest Park, St. Louis, to protect a statue of St. Louis, King of France, which had been targeted by anti-statue activists in the wake of worldwide protests against racial injustice. The activists had planned to topple the statue, which depicted the city's namesake, a Crusader king who had been accused of anti-Muslim violence and bigotry. The clash between the two groups turned violent, with reports of physical altercations and the use of pepper spray. Several people were injured, including an elderly Catholic priest who was knocked to the ground and suffered a broken hip.
The lead-up to the event was marked by rising tensions. The anti-statue activists had announced their plans to remove the statue, which they saw as a symbol of racism and religious intolerance. In response, the Catholic group, calling themselves "St. Louis Statue Defenders," organized a counter-protest to protect the statue. They were joined by members of the alt-right, including some who had traveled from out of state. Many of these protestors were armed and wore body armor, indicating a potential expectation of violence.
As the two groups converged on the statue, tensions quickly escalated. Chants and counter-chants filled the air, with the Catholics and alt-right protestors shouting "God will vindicate us!" and "Jesus saves!" while the anti-statue activists chanted "Black Lives Matter!" and "Tear it down!" The anti-statue activists attempted to tie ropes around the statue to pull it down, while the Catholic group formed a human chain to prevent access to the monument.
Violent scuffles broke out, with reports of protestors from both sides throwing punches and using pepper spray. Some of the alt-right protestors were seen brandishing weapons, including bats and flags used as spears. The situation became so volatile that families picnicking in the park had to be evacuated to ensure their safety. Despite the presence of police officers, the violence continued, with officers reportedly struggling to keep the two groups separated.
The clash resulted in several injuries, including that of the elderly priest, who was later taken to the hospital. Additionally, a reporter was injured by pepper spray, and several other individuals sustained minor injuries. No arrests were made at the scene, but the St. Louis police department launched an investigation into the incident, reviewing video footage and witness statements to identify those responsible for the violence.
The event highlighted the complex and often divisive nature of the statue debate, where issues of historical legacy, racial justice, and religious freedom intersect. It also underscored the potential for violence when opposing groups with strong ideological beliefs clash, even in a public space like Forest Park. The aftermath of the clash left the city and its residents grappling with questions of how to navigate these complex issues and find a path forward that respects the diverse perspectives and histories that make up the fabric of St. Louis.
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Violent confrontations erupted between different groups of protestors over the removal of a statue of King Louis IX
On June 27, 2020, violent confrontations erupted between different groups of protestors over the removal of a statue of King Louis IX in St. Louis, Missouri. The statue, erected in 1906, has been a source of contention, with some calling for its removal due to King Louis IX's historical persecution of Jews and Muslims. The prayer event in defence of the statue was organised by far-right groups, including individuals associated with white nationalist ideologies and hate groups such as the Proud Boys. Counter-protestors, including Muslim and Jewish activists, advocated for the statue's removal. While there were Catholics and priests present who wished to defend the statue, the event was not solely composed of Catholics, and the presence of far-right groups is an important context to the clashes.
Videos and images circulated online depicted instances of violence during the protest. However, the characterisation of these incidents as solely stemming from Black Lives Matter activists attacking peaceful, praying Catholics is misleading and mischaracterises the nature of the altercations. While there were Black Lives Matter activists present, this was not an official BLM protest. The counter-protest was organised by Muslim and Jewish activists specifically in response to the statue of King Louis IX, due to his historical persecution of Jews and Muslims.
One image circulated online showed a man in a green shirt being attacked. This man has been identified as Paul, who wrote on Facebook that he "applauded" his attacker because he had been accused of being a member of the KKK. He also acknowledged carrying a knife at the protest, which he brandished as a "show of strength" upon leaving. This incident occurred towards the conclusion of the gathering as people were dispersing, and the man does not appear to have been part of the Catholic group praying at the statue.
The event organiser, Umar Lee, a Muslim and activist, disputed the idea that Catholics were attacked for praying. He emphasised his issue was with the inclusion of the Proud Boys and other white nationalist groups, not with the priests or Catholics present. Cathy Daniels, a Ferguson frontline activist, drew parallels between the efforts to remove the statue of King Louis IX and the removal of statues of racist historical figures such as Christopher Columbus. She emphasised the need to understand the negative connotations the statue holds for many.
The statue of King Louis IX has become a flashpoint for tensions between different groups in St. Louis. While some view it as a symbol of their faith and the city's namesake, others see it as a representation of historical persecution and racism. The protest and counter-protest highlight the complex dynamics at play in St. Louis, with some defending the statue on religious grounds while others advocate for its removal as a step towards reconciliation and social justice.
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Videos circulated online claiming Black Lives Matter activists attacked praying Catholics
On June 27, 2020, a few violent confrontations occurred at Art Hill in St. Louis, Missouri, between different groups of protesters who disagreed about removing a statue of King Louis IX from the site. No serious injuries were reported. Videos of these incidents circulated online, claiming that Black Lives Matter activists attacked praying Catholics. However, this claim has been disputed, and the characterisation of the event as a Black Lives Matter protest has been deemed inaccurate.
The event was a "Stop Hate and Racism" gathering organised by Umar Lee, a Muslim activist and writer, and two other community activists. The protest was specifically against the statue of King Louis IX, who persecuted Jews in the Middle Ages. Lee stated that there was no issue with the presence of Catholics or priests at the event but objected to the inclusion of groups such as the Proud Boys and other white nationalist-connected organisations. He clarified that the event was not an alt-right rally and that they would not tolerate the spread of white nationalist ideologies.
While there were Black Lives Matter activists present, the event was not an official Black Lives Matter protest. It was a counter-protest organised by Muslim and Jewish activists who wanted the statue removed due to its association with the persecution of Jews. The group described as "Catholics" included individuals aligned with hate groups and white nationalist ideologies. Additionally, the event was organised by the proprietor of a far-right conspiracy website.
One particular image circulated online, showing a man being attacked during the protest. This man was claimed to be a part of the group of Catholics praying peacefully. However, this claim was misleading, as the man was not associated with the Catholic contingent. A Reuters photographer at the scene confirmed that the man approached protesters near the conclusion of the gathering as people were dispersing. The man himself wrote on Facebook that he "applauded" his attacker because he had been accused of being a member of the KKK. He also acknowledged carrying a knife at the protest, which he said he did not brandish until he was leaving.
While the videos and images circulating online claimed that Black Lives Matter activists attacked praying Catholics, this characterisation of the event has been disputed by multiple sources. It is important to recognise the presence of other factors and ideologies involved in the confrontations that occurred during the "Stop Hate and Racism" gathering in St. Louis.
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A man wearing a green shirt was attacked but he was not part of the Catholic contingent praying
On Sunday, October 8, 2017, a group of Catholics gathered in St. Louis, Missouri, for a prayer rally and to show their support for law enforcement. Among them was a man wearing a green shirt who stood out from the rest. Unfortunately, he became the target of an unprovoked attack, although he had no apparent connection to the Catholic contingent. The peaceful assembly took place outside the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Headquarters and was organized by a group called the "Apostles of Loreto." Their intention was to pray for police officers and to promote law and order.
As the Catholics gathered, a separate group of protesters also arrived on the scene. These protesters were reportedly there to demonstrate against police brutality and to show their support for the NFL players who had been kneeling during the national anthem. Tensions rose as the two groups came into close proximity, and unfortunately, violence erupted. The man in the green shirt, who was later identified as an innocent bystander with no affiliation to either group, found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.
In the midst of the chaos, a protester mistook the man in the green shirt for a member of the Catholic group. He was then physically assaulted, punched, and kicked by the angry protester. The attack was sudden and unexpected, leaving the victim shaken and injured. Luckily, bystanders intervened, and the police took swift action to de-escalate the situation and provide assistance to the injured man.
Despite the swift response from law enforcement, the incident left a lasting impact. It served as a stark reminder that even peaceful gatherings can turn volatile and that innocent bystanders can inadvertently get caught up in conflicts. The man in the green shirt became a symbol of the unintended consequences of such clashes, highlighting the importance of maintaining peace and respecting each other's right to assemble and express views without resorting to violence.
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The prayer event was organized by the proprietor of a far-right conspiracy website
On June 27, 2020, a violent clash erupted at Art Hill in St. Louis, Missouri, between different groups of protesters with opposing views on the removal of a statue of King Louis IX. While videos and images from the incident that circulated online claimed that praying Catholics had been attacked by Black Lives Matter protesters, these characterizations were misleading. The group described as "Catholics" included individuals associated with hate groups and white nationalist ideologies, and the prayer event was organized by the proprietor of a far-right conspiracy website, Jim Hoft of "The Gateway Pundit." While there were Catholics who attended the event peacefully, the presence of these other groups and the nature of the organizing entity provide important context to the situation.
The statue of King Louis IX has been a source of contention, with some advocating for its removal due to the historical antisemitism and Islamophobia of the king, who was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. Louis IX is the only king of France to be canonized, and the city of St. Louis was named after him by French colonizers in 1764. The prayer event organized by Hoft and "The Gateway Pundit" was billed as a call to "all Catholic and Christian men in the St. Louis, Missouri area" to join in public prayer to save the statue. This event was met with a counter-protest organized by Muslim and Jewish activists, who viewed the statue as a symbol of persecution.
The presence of individuals with far-right and white nationalist affiliations within the "Catholic" group contributed to the tensions. St. Louis resident and activist Umar Lee, one of the organizers of a separate "Stop Hate and Racism" gathering, emphasized his issue was not with the priests or people praying but with the inclusion of groups like the Proud Boys and other white nationalist-connected organizations. Lee and other activists have worked to petition for the removal of symbols of King Louis IX due to his historical antisemitism and Islamophobia.
The violent clash at Art Hill resulted in no serious injuries, but it highlighted the complex dynamics at play in St. Louis. While the characterization of peaceful Catholics being attacked by Black Lives Matter protesters was misleading, the event underscored the ongoing debates and divisions surrounding racial justice, historical symbols, and the intersection of faith and politics in the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, on June 27, 2020, a violent confrontation occurred at Art Hill in St. Louis, Missouri, between different groups of protesters debating the removal of a statue of King Louis IX. The altercation involved a group of Catholics who were praying at the statue and counter-protesters.
While there were Black Lives Matter activists present, the counter-protest was organized by Muslim and Jewish activists. The event was also not an official BLM protest.
No serious injuries were reported.
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