Jefferson City preparing for NSM march
By Jeff Haldiman, jhaldiman@newstribune.comUpholding the constitutional right of free speech while maintaining order - that's the goal of law enforcement during a scheduled march by a neo-Nazi organization.
At a meeting Wednesday night at the Jefferson City Police Department, members of local law enforcement agencies talked with civic, elected and religious leaders about the National Socialist Movement (NSM) rally and march set for Nov. 8. They also discussed alternatives to the event that could be offered for the public.
"We don't agree with what this group is saying, but we have to defend their right to make a statement," said Jefferson City police Capt. Mike Smith. "I'd like to see this turn out to be the most well staffed event - for no reason."
Smith said police cars will be in front and in back of the group, which is something the department generally does for parades. All available police officers will be on duty that day, and they will be assisted by the Cole County Sheriff's Department, Capitol Police, Missouri Highway Patrol and the Missouri Water Patrol.
According to the parade request form filed by the NSM, the group will march past the Governor's Mansion around 1:30 p.m. toward the Capitol, where their rally will start at 2 p.m. on the south side of the building grounds. They plan to finish at the Capitol by 4 p.m. and leave town by 4:30 p.m.
Despite this schedule, Smith said they are not anticipating more than 25 marchers and believe the group may end the event early.
Already, plans are being put forth on alternative activities to take place at the same time the NSM event is going on.
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Commander Jeff Schoep
"If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem."
National Socialist Movement www.nsm88.org
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