‘Reclaim America’ chants white supremacist group as members march through DC on Fourth of July

WASHINGTON, DC: Scorching triple-digit heat may have derailed Washington, DC's Independence Day parade, but it did little to deter members of a white nationalist group, who marched through the nation's capital anyway.

Hundreds of demonstrators donning the logo and insignia of Patriot Front, a white supremacist group, were seen protesting in the Eastern Market neighborhood and on Capitol Hill amid the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.

Demonstrators chant ‘Reclaim America!’

Dressed in khaki pants, white face coverings, sunglasses, and caps bearing the Patriot Front logo, the marchers assembled near Union Station before making their way through Capitol Hill in a coordinated procession.

The group carried several flags, including American, Confederate, and Patriot Front insignia flags. Some were seen carrying upside-down American flags.

Images circulating on social media showed the large groups of uniformed Patriot Front members surrounding other passengers, and ascending from a station to begin their procession through the nation’s capital.

Meanwhile, a video captured roughly 400 people marching in military-like formations while chanting “reclaim America” and “life, liberty, victory”.

The city’s Metropolitan Police Department didn’t report any arrests, insisting that the department is tracking what it described as “First Amendment activities”

“MPD recognizes the rights of individuals to express their views peacefully and remains committed to maintaining public safety and security for DC residents and visitors,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

As per its website, Patriot Front, the group founded in 2017 by Thomas Rousseau, who reportedly led the July 4 protest, describes itself as a “fraternal, nationalist, activist organization.” 

“Our people, born to this nation of our European race, must reforge themselves as a new collective capable of asserting our right to cultural independence,” it further states.

The group has a history of staging high-profile demonstrations, almost always in the same uniform of dark shirts, khaki pants, work boots, and white face masks.

‘Salute to America’ delayed due to heatwave

As millions of Americans marked the nation's 250th birthday, an intense heat dome disrupted several Fourth of July events in Washington, DC, including Salute to America on the National Mall.

Shortly before 7:30 PM, attendees were instructed to leave the National Mall and seek shelter in nearby buildings. Organizers did not say when the venue would reopen. The program had originally been scheduled to begin at 7 PM.

The severe weather also forced Washington to cancel its annual Independence Day parade on Friday and delay the opening of the Great American State Fair and several other festivities until later on Saturday.

Forecasters warned that thunderstorms and rain could further disrupt the day's celebrations.

Despite the conditions, President Trump is still expected to deliver his Salute to America address on the National Mall later Saturday. The president has promised it will be a "long" speech despite the heat, followed by what he says will be a record-breaking fireworks display.