Viral Video Shows Neo-Nazi Wander Into Crowd Of Protesters In Gainesville, Greeted With Big Hug From Black Man
A neo-Nazi skinhead wandered into a crowd of protesters outside white supremacist Richard Spencer’s speech on Thursday and got an unexpected response — a big hug from a black man who was among the anti-white-supremacists.
Spencer’s speech at the University of Florida drew close to 300 protesters, many of whom shouted angrily at the smaller gathering of white supremacists and skinheads supporting Spencer. With tensions high after an event in Charlottesville, Virginia, led to the death of a protester earlier this summer, the event in Florida ended up bringing a much more unlikely interaction between the two groups.
A viral video making the rounds on social media showed a skinhead wearing a swastika shirt silently make his way through the angry crowd. After being greeted with some shoves and punches — including one that left his nose bloody — the man met an unlikely friend.
As the New York Post noted, a black man approached the skinhead and pulled the white man close to his chest, saying, “Give me a f***in’ hug.”
After the hug, the black man tried to have a conversation with the skinhead.
“Why don’t you like me, dog?” he asked. “Huh? What is it?”
The video clip ended before seeing the man’s answer, but the interaction has gone viral. The incident can be seen below (there is some adult language, so it may not be safe to watch in all settings).
A nazi and a black man…..America 2017 #SpencerAtUF pic.twitter.com/sSaG36EuOr
— Politics 4 Dummies (@Politics4dum) October 19, 2017
The viral hug between the neo-Nazi and black man came amid larger protests that drew national attention. Spencer is one of the most notorious white supremacists in the United States and is credited as one of the pioneers of the so-called “Alt Right” movement.
Thinking of the UF & Santa Fe students, today. Richard Spencer and his hatred have no place in our state. https://t.co/3aASw1Xrr1
— Gwen Graham (@GwenGraham) October 19, 2017
As Fox News reported, Richard Spencer had been slated to speak for two hours but had to cut the appearance short amid loud and disruptive protests. After the violence in Charlottesville, officials in Florida were prepared and Gov. Rick Scott even declared a state of emergency for Alachua County ahead of the event to devote more security and prepare for potentially violent clashes.
Though Richard Spencer’s speech was drowned out and ultimately cut short, the viral hug between the neo-Nazi and black man is still getting plenty of attention.
[Featured Image by Brian Blanco/Getty Images]
