Two opposing, heavily armed militia groups came within a few dozen yards of each of other in downtown Louisville on Saturday in a tense standoff that ended without violence, but marked an escalation after two months of ongoing protests over the police shooting of a Black woman.

(Editor’s note: We bring you this article for a few reasons. 1) Two militias protesting takes the protests of the last few months to another level. 2) The demands, frustration, and desperation of the protesters are described well. 3) It shows the potential dangers as well as the need for us to pray–desperate people may be more open to the powerful message of the gospel. Let’s pray for the Lord of the harvest to send in workers to our troubled towns and cities.)

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More than 300 members of the Atlanta-based Black militia NFAC, or “Not F**king Around Coalition” came to Louisville demanding justice for 26-year-old Breonna Taylor, an ER technician who was fatally shot by officers in March.

Wearing all black and carrying assault rifles, members marched in military-style formation from Baxter Park in the Russell neighborhood to Metro Hall where they stopped around 2:45 p.m. at police barricades.

Right across was a smaller group of 50 far-right “Three Percenter” militia members, who were also heavily armed.

The opposing militia said it showed up in response to NFAC and to aid police. As the two sides neared, one Three Percenter yelled “Don’t fire unless you’re fired upon!” as police in riot gear stood nearby and helicopters buzzed.

Police kept the sides apart and tensions eventually dissipated. Both militias had said they wanted to avoid violence. 

John “Grandmaster Jay” Johnson, founder of the NFAC, delivered a fiery speech calling for local and state officials to speed up and be more transparent about the investigation into Taylor’s shooting.

Otherwise, he warned that leaders can expect more outrage from local residents and outside activists.

“If you don’t tell us nothing we going to think you ain’t doing nothing,” Johnson said. . . .

Johnson also said the NFAC group plans to stay in Louisville and “build community policing” strategies and improve public safety.

He ended a speech downtown by saying that NFAC is giving Cameron and the Breonna Taylor investigation four weeks from today to “tell the truth.” . . .

Nick Alsager, who held an assault rifle with others from the Three Percenters, said NFAC had a constitutional right to make their voices heard, but he didn’t approve of them coming to Louisville. He said the city had already been buffeted by protests and hoped they would end as the investigation is finished.

“You got no business being here. It ain’t your state,” he said of the group. . . .

Louisville activist LeBron Seay said he fully supported NFAC coming to the city because it showed Black residents and other activists there needs to be more options besides traditional nonviolent protests.

“This is something that is definitely needed,” he said. “Protesting the same ways is not working; marching is not working; posters is not working; sit-ins is not working, and this is to let the people know we do have a backbone and it’s time for change.” . . .

But the vast majority of local activists and neighbors said they were comforted by the group’s presence and argued they came to help.

“It might make things worse in some circles, but overall it makes things better because we’re not afraid,” said Roger Dhahabu, 64, who carried a red, black and green flag representing African Americans around Baxter Park. “I’m not afraid to die right now for the right cause.”

(Excerpt from Louisville Courier-Journal. Photo by Maria Oswalt on Unsplash )