[VIDEO] Downtown Shelton was the scene of two competing rallies Sunday afternoon as two groups exercised their right to demonstrate with “Back the Blue” taking over the intersection of 1st and Railroad, and “Black Lives Matter” occupying Post Office Park.
Both rallies were scheduled for 2 PM but supporters started showing up in the area hours before. Supporters of the Back the Blue movement outnumbered their counterparts with many carrying American flags, some holding firearms and a few in costume.
MasonWebTV Powered by HCC was told many of those with sidearms were security to make sure things stayed civil and uniformed police were staged nearby ready to respond if necessary. MasonWebTV also spotted Mason County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Ryan Spurling and Shelton Police Chief Darin Moody walking along Railroad Avenue about an hour before the rallies were to start.
Aside from a few individual arguments, there was a circus atmosphere leading up to the start of the rallies.
The Back the Blue demonstration consisted of flag waving and singing of patriotic songs as well as a few speeches.
Black Lives Matter started with speeches in the park and then marched north along 2nd Street to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, then turned west on to Pine Street and continued to the Mason County Jail. Once in front of the jail, protesters continued chanting when Back the Blue supporters showed up.
The groups then faced off in the middle of 4th Street, yelling at each other. Police vehicles quickly arrived and uniformed police separated the groups without incident. The groups seemed to disburse after that confrontation.
Here is video MasonWebTV Powered by HCC captured from in front of the Mason County Jail. Please note there are inappropriate language and obscene gestures in this raw video. You can also see Mason County Commissioner Randy Neatherlin in the middle of the argument with a sign that read, “Be Kind; We Got This.”
Other confrontations occurred as the groups left the downtown area but as of this posting, MasonWebTV Powered by HCC has not received reports of injuries or damage.