A Neo-Nazi group made up of masked individuals carrying swastika flags was seen Saturday afternoon marching through parts of Little Rock, drawing swift public criticism and a formal response from the NAACP’s Little Rock Branch.
The group, known as “The Blood Tribe,” was seen walking near the Arkansas State Capitol and Little Rock Central High School before loading into a large U-Haul truck and moving across the city. Images and video of the march circulated widely online, sparking an uproar on social media.
In a statement issued Sunday, the NAACP Little Rock Branch condemned the rally, calling it an act of intimidation that threatens the safety and dignity of the city’s residents, especially Black and minority communities.
“What happened on December 6 was not just a protest; it was an act of intimidation rooted in hate,” NAACP Little Rock President Marie Hollowell said. “And the failure of law enforcement to intervene immediately puts every Little Rock resident at risk. We demand accountability, transparency, and protection nothing less.”
The NAACP’s statement also raised questions about the response from local and state law enforcement, pointing to video and eyewitness reports that appear to show officers watching the group load into the back of the truck and leave the scene. The organization called the transport of more than 20 individuals in a cargo box “reckless, illegal, and dangerous,” and said the delay in enforcement shows “selective justice” that offers extremist groups greater mobility than local residents.
On Sunday, the Little Rock Police Department issued its own release, outlining the sequence of events and its response. According to LRPD, officers monitored the group on Capitol grounds and at Central High, and observed more than 20 individuals enter a large U-Haul truck. The department said officers coordinated with Arkansas State Police “out of concern for public safety.”
The truck was stopped on Interstate 440 near Springer Boulevard. According to the release, the 36-year-old driver from Indiana was cited for a traffic violation. One individual was removed from the interior of the truck, and the vehicle was impounded. LRPD said the individuals were transported from the scene and did not present an ongoing threat.
In its statement, LRPD said it remains committed to protecting constitutional rights related to peaceful assembly, but “strongly condemns any group or individual espousing hate-based ideology.”
The NAACP has called for a full investigation into LRPD’s response on December 6, accountability for officers involved in decision-making, and the creation of clear protocols for responding to extremist groups and public safety risks. The organization is also asking city leadership to work directly with civil rights groups on communication and safety planning.
No additional arrests related to Saturday’s march have been reported as of Monday. Authorities have not announced whether further charges are possible.
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