African Americans, white supremacists hold rivaling rallies in South Carolina

Two rivaling rallies were held Saturday at the Statehouse in Columbia, South Carolina, by African Americans and members of the white supremacist group Klu Klux Klan (KKK) to support and oppose respectively the recent removal of the Confederate flag.

Members of the Black Educators for Justice from Florida held a rally on the north side of the Statehouse to support the removal of the Confederate flag that is regarded as a symbol of the dark history of black slavery in southern U.S. states, local media reported.

The KKK rally, organized by the Loyal White Knights of the KKK, was held in the afternoon on the south side of the Statehouse, with some members chanting the message of "white pride." About 200 people attended the KKK rally, some of them waving the Confederate flag.

A heavy police presence was at the scene to prevent violent clash between the two rivaling groups, and the KKK rally was barricaded as more protesters joined the crowd.

No violent clash was reported except for some tense verbal exchanges between the protesters. Two men were led away by the police after a scuffle. James Evans Muhammad, leader of the Black Educators for Justice, urged protesters not to get violent or they would be removed by the police.

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley issued a statement Thursday to call on people to stay away from the KKK rally.

"We want to make the Statehouse a lonely place for them (KKK members). In doing so, We'll honor those we have lost and continue to make our state stronger," Haley said.

The racial relationship between the state's black and white residents has become increasingly tense after a racially motivated white gunman shot and killed nine black churchgoers on June 17 in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Confederate flag, viewed by many African Americans as a symbol of racial hatred, was removed on July 10 from the Statehouse of South Carolina. Endi