Watch: Neo-Nazis Hurl Anti-LGBTQ Oaths, Police Shut Down Illegal Demonstration

Neo-Nazis hurled homophobic slurs during an illegal demonstration in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, over the weekend, news outlets report. Police successfully prevented violence and the demonstration - which had no permits - broke up even as additional law enforcement arrived at the local park where the group had gathered.

The Neo-Nazi group carried flags bedecked with swastikas and also hoisted banners that combined the American flag with Nazi designs. Some of the group were "heavily armed," reported local newspaper the Patriot-News.

The report went on to say:

A female member proclaimed "God hates the gays" and led a chant against them using the "F" word.

The neo-Nazis had an audience in the form of a small group who "watched quietly," the Patriot-News article said.

Even as the July 18 demonstration was in progress, local news outlet NorthCentralPA.com reported that the group had initially planned an April demonstration, but their permit was revoked due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The group then applied for a new permit but were denied.

City officials prepared Williamsport in advance of the demonstration, reported NorthcentralPA.com:

On Thursday and Friday, the Williamsport Bureau of Police and the City Department of Public Works proactively erected fencing and placed concrete barriers around both city synagogues.

The illegal gathering included about 30 neo-Nazis and took place in Brandon Park, reported local ABC affiliate WNEP.

WNEP noted that the neo-Nazis belonged to a national hate group, National Socialist Movement, that the NSM "openly supports the oppression of minority groups including African-Americans and other people of color, those who follow a Jewish faith, and the LGBTQ community."

Local residents took to social media to express shock and outrage.

"can we talk about the fact that there was a NAZI PARADE IN WILLIAMSPORT TODAY, JULY 18, 2020," one person posted to Twitter.

can we talk about the fact that there was a NAZI PARADE IN WILLIAMSPORT TODAY, JULY 18, 2020 pic.twitter.com/QGDvBphSHe– Taylor Wentzel (@TaylorRWentzel) July 19, 2020

The following day, a counter-protest with "more than 50 people" took place at the same park, WNEP reported in a followup article. Organizers of the counter-protest handed out flyers that included a QR code "designed so people can scan it with their smartphone camera, and it will direct them straight to the Pennsylvania Voter registration page," the article said.

Watch the WNEP news report below.