Around 100 members of the Ku Klux Klan took part in a rally in Columbia, South Carolina today in protest at the removal of the Confederate flag from the grounds of the state house.
The flag - a controversial symbol - was removed last week after legislators voted to remove it and relocate it to a museum.
The decision was made following a shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, in which nine church-goers were shot dead by Dylann Roof, a man who had been photographed with the Confederate flag.
The rally was organised by the North Carolina branch of the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.
On the other side of the Columbia State House building, a number of black rights groups held a counter-demonstration.
Organisers appeal to the rally crowd in Columbia...If you've come here for trouble please leave. We're here for a peaceful demonstration.
— Caitriona Perry (@CaitrionaPerry) July 18, 2015
Last week law enforcement officials said they were nervous about violence breaking out and so enforced a month long weapons ban around the State House building.
Ahead of the rally, the Governor of South Carolina Nikki Haley asked residents to stay away from the city centre and the Ku Klux Klan rally which she described as "hateful, disruptive spectacle".
KKK marching to the South Carolina Statehouse in Columbia https://t.co/bcVwmQGHKi
— Caitriona Perry (@CaitrionaPerry) July 18, 2015
