Members of pro-Confederate and white supremacist organizations clashed with counter-protesters in Georgia on Saturday after a far-right rally turned into a violent standoff between opposing groups. Several dozen right-wing activists toting rifles and Confederate battle flags gathered in the Atlanta suburb of Stone Mountain, near Stone Mountain Park, home to a giant sculpture of Confederate leaders. The Three Percenters militia, which organized the event, had applied last month to hold a more than 2,000-strong rally 'to defend and protect our history and Second Amendment rights' at the park, in response to a march by an all-Black militia held on July 4. The application however, was denied by state officials who cited violence at a similar event in 2016. Stone Mountain Memorial Association spokesperson John Bankhead said the park denied the permit on August 4.

But several online groups, including one dubbed 'Defending Stone Mountain,' that vowed to march in the park anyway, gathered in downtown Stone Mountain armed with rifles and military gear. Meanwhile, hundreds of counter-protesters, many of whom wore shirts or carried signs expressing support for the Black Lives Matter movement, descended on the march. Chaos unfolded in the city, just as officials had feared, as the rival groups faced off with each other for hours. People on both sides were seen carrying rifles. Members of right-wing groups proudly waving their Confederate flags were seen coming face to face with anti-racism and anti-fascist activists. For several hours, there was little visible police presence and things were largely peaceful, aside from some shoving and pushing and spirited arguments. But just before 1pm, tensions between the rival groups reached a boiling point, as brawls broke out among the crowd.

Atlanta police say former four-time Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl linebacker Chip Banks is in serious condition following a shooting. Atlanta police spokeswoman Marla Rooker said in an email to The Associated Press officers found three men with apparent gunshot wounds when responding to a shooting in Atlanta just before 1 p.m. Wednesday. One of the victims, Charles Pharms Jr., was declared dead at the scene, according to Rooker. Banks and the third man were alert and transported to a local hospital. The shooting was first reported by TMZ. Banks, 60, was in serious condition, according to Rooker. There was no update on the other victim, identified by Rooker as Bennie C. Harris. Rooker said the police investigation is ongoing.