Opposing demonstrators clashed during a planned Black Lives Matter protest at Palmerton Memorial Park Saturday afternoon.

Both sides protested passionately, while standing several yards apart, separated by Palmerton Police officers.

The news earlier last week of a Black Lives Matter protest coming to Palmerton sparked a large counterprotest by people showing support for police.

A few dozen supporters of Black Lives Matter rallied in the park, marched along the sidewalk to the west side of town, and then returned to rally in the park again. The majority held signs with messages opposing racism and police brutality, while a few held signs advocating for abolishing police.

“This is about being peaceful, stating what you feel, stating that Black lives matter,” said protester Meghan Mackey.

“We’re not here to say all the police are awful,” she said. “We are here straight up peacefully protesting on behalf of the folks that can no longer speak for themselves.”

Mackey said she wanted to stand up for black victims of police brutality, but she was not opposing all police officers. She wanted to stand up for minorities who have been killed by police.

As the protest unfolded, people protesting against Black Lives Matter appeared to outnumber the actual protesters.

Many carried signs and flags supporting police, while others carried Trump flags. Several open carried handguns and rifles. They said they were there to protect the town from vandalism.

Susan Dorward opposed the Black Lives Matter protest because she does not believe there is a race problem in Palmerton. She also wanted to protect the town from vandalism.

“We don’t need them here. We’re going to keep them from causing trouble,” she said. “They want to destroy our country from within, and we’re not going to let it happen.”

Several of the counter protesters said they were under the impression that there were buses bringing hundreds of Black Lives Matter activists from outside of the area.

Noah Schaffer said he turned out because of those rumors, and because Black Lives Matter protests in cities across the country have turned violent.

“We were under the impression this was going to be a lot bigger. And it’s kind of sad,” he said.

Braun Bleamer said he showed up to protect the town from vandalism and the assertion by protesters that there is a race problem in Palmerton.

“We live in Palmerton because there isn’t a problem here. Now they are bringing it here,” he said.

Janice Hahn was one of the first people to speak out against the Black Lives Matter protest on social media this week. She encouraged people to show up during the event and have their own peaceful rally to show support for the police, the community and country.

“It was to back the blue. I’m very passionate about the police. My daughter’s a police officer,” she said.

The verbal confrontations began when counterprotesters crossed the park shortly after the Black Lives Matter supporters started rallying. Palmerton Police stood by.

After the event, Sierra Hahn posted in the Facebook group “Small Town Peaceful Protest” that Black Lives Matter supporters were “screamed at, spit on and on the receiving end of racial slurs.”

One man can be seen on video blocking protesters and attempting to knock signs out of their hands.

Both sides organized chants. A group known as the Holiday Homecoming Chorus sang The Star-Spangled Banner, while others chanted “USA,” “All lives matter,” and “back the blue.”

The Black Lives Matter protesters chanted “no justice, no peace,” and “justice, peace, love, equality,” and “I can’t breathe.” One protester repeatedly said through a loudspeaker that he loved the counterprotesters, while others handed out flowers.

Many of the Black Lives Matter protesters said they have been motivated by recent national events including the death of George Floyd and subsequent protests.

Rachael Dickson said she has been outraged since Floyd’s death and was encouraged to see a strong show of support for Black Lives Matter in Palmerton.

“We are here to protest the injustices that are done to black men and women every single day,” she said.

Noah Rhoads said the protests have been eye opening for him, and he hopes to inspire more people to protest against police brutality. “I hope there’s someone out there, sitting out there whether they’re unemployed or quarantined, they think, we can get he message out that black lives matter and that police brutality is wrong.”

Within seconds of the protesters beginning their march down Delaware Avenue, a large group of motorcycles pulled up along side revving their engines to drown them out.

When they returned to the park, the verbal confrontations continued. A group of men wearing armed with rifles and handguns also appeared.

Eventually, the Black Lives Matter protesters left the park.

As the protest dispersed, Maison Allen, who helped organize the Black Lives Matter protest, said she was encouraged to see protesters on both sides having conversations with each other as the protest concluded.

“While we may not see eye to eye or change each others’ opinions in general, this is why we came: to have these conversations and open a dialogue,” she said.