Protests across the country are growing even spreading to rural communities. At a peaceful protest march in Indiana protestors walked past this line of citizens holding assault rifles asserting their second amendment right to carry deadly weapons. They feared that the peaceful protestors might actually be terrorists. They therefore planned to defended their town with assault rifles. When the protestors walked past the single police car parked near the counter protestors, they thanked the officers.

President Donald Trump encouraged the counter protestors since his “Law and Order” rose garden speech stressed the importance of the second amendment, saying, “I am mobilizing all available federal resources — civilian and military — to stop the rioting and looting, to end the destruction and arson, and to protect the rights of law-abiding Americans, including your Second Amendment rights.” This acted as an invitation for vigilantes. One Guy in this line up actually had on a tin sheriffs star. I didn’t notice it until I sketched him.

A group of Invaders Motorcycle Club members rode to Freedom Park in Lowell Indiana and listened to organizers speak at the start of the Black Lives Matter March. There was a lot of fear on social media that the protest would bring destruction to the quiet town of Lowell.

Since nationwide protests began, President Donald Trump and U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr have, without evidence, blamed the antifa movement, a loose network of groups made up of radicals who rely on direct action, and sometimes violence, to fight the far right and fascism — for the looting and property damage seen during some of the otherwise peaceful rallies. Social media rumors claimed bus loads of antifa members were heading to rural towns to cause damage. The rumors were unfounded.

The Lowell Black lives Matter March ended at Liberty Park. When demonstrators came to the picnic shelter they found a group of armed men inside. They were invited in, “Come in, we can share this space. It’s OK. It’s safe. Don’t be afraid.” Members from both groups spoke about their hopes for the future and the trials they have endured. By the end, the demonstrators invited the Invaders to join them on their march and thanked them for coming out. The day was about peace and unity. People took the time to listen and to understand. If only all communities could come together and share their common experiences.”  An armed man who was worried about antifa coming to murder white people, in Lowell posted an update to his Facebook page acknowledging the risks had been overblown. There was peace in Lowell that night.