#Proud Boys rally sparks violence in Kalamazoo, Michigan

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Members of the far-right group Proud Boys clash with counter-protesters in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan, today.
AP

Far-right protesters clashed with a church-led unity rally in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan, Saturday, leading to arrests and several injuries as fists flew, according to reports.

The dueling demonstrations formed after news emerged of a planned rally in the city by the Proud Boys, which has been deemed a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

News of the rally prompted the local First Congregational Church to host an anti-racism vigil in a nearby park.

Rev. Nathan Dannison urged the crowd to “work together to remain peaceful and manifest positive energy with each other, to take care of each other, to take care of our own selves and our own safety, and to defend one another,” according to mlive.com.

That’s allegedly when a group of Proud Boys, bearing American flags, bright yellow “Don’t Tread on Me” banners and Trump flags, made their way to the park, and allegedly pepper-sprayed the crowd, including the reverend.

Police eventually cleared out the crowds, who had also bashed each other with sticks and bats.