No arrests after confrontation between O’Fallon demonstrators and man with Nazi flag

No arrests were made following a disturbance between a protester and counter-protester on Saturday in O’Fallon.

Police Chief Kirk Brueggeman said officers responded to a call when a young man was seen carrying a red flag bearing a swastika near Schildknecht Funeral Home and City Hall on Lincoln Avenue around 11: 30 a.m.

The Hands Off! National Day of Action took place in cities across all 50 states, including the metro-east, Springfield, and the St. Louis metropolitan region. Organizers said 431 people signed up to attend the event in O’Fallon, but more attended. Those who participated were mostly protesting certain actions of President Trump and his advisor, Elon Musk, since the president began his second term in January.

Brueggeman said the protest took place in O’Fallon between 10 a.m. and noon as rain fell.

“I wasn’t there. I am looking at a video now. It was a small disturbance and did not result in any arrests,” he said. “It came up rather quickly, in front of the funeral home. Police separated both sides and both parties went on their way.”

Protesters at the event and posters in Facebook community groups said the flag displaying a symbol of Nazi Germany was in poor taste. That doesn’t make it illegal, however, Brueggeman said.

“He was exercising his First Amendment rights just as the protesters were,” he said. “He did not threaten anyone. We were just trying to keep people safe. It was a big gathering. Even if you don’t agree, it was legal for him to be there.”

Brueggeman said in today’s political climate, comments can get “pretty nasty” on social media and at different public gatherings. The police are interested in diffusing any escalating tensions, he said.

The large red flag the counter-protester carried had been seen on his car as he drove around earlier, according to a protester who didn’t want to be named for fear of retribution. While he did not appear to be accompanied by anyone, she said another man was making the “Nazi Salute” from his car, as he drove around downtown during the protest.

Also known as the Hitler Salute or the “Seig Heil” (“Hail Victory”), which was adopted by the Nazi Party in Germany in 1926 as a greeting. The Swastika is a symbol that the Third Reich adopted during World War II, and has become linked with anti-Semitism and white supremacy groups.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, a rise in hate crimes has occurred across the U.S., with more than 750 such incidents since 2020.

The League’s Center on Extremism reported a pattern of small groups, mostly in masks, chanting and waving swastikas or white power flags in public, yelling racial slurs at such targets as immigrants, black people, Jews and LGBTQ people.

That did not happen Saturday in O’Fallon, according to Brueggeman.

Hands Off! Organizers promoted the event online: “On Saturday, April 5, we’re taking to the streets nationwide to fight back with a clear message: Hands off!!”

“The lawlessness, cruelty, and corruption has gone too far. On April 5, we unite to say: Hands Off! Hands Off Our Democracy! Hands Off Our Health Care! Hands Off Social Security! Hands Off Our Data! Hands Off Public Schools! Hands Off!”

Jan and Dave Billhartz, who attended, said protesters lined both sides of the street near City Hall, with many holding signs.

“We did a rough estimate and estimated 10-12 every 10 feet. We left when the rain picked up. We didn’t see him walking with the flag, but we saw him driving around,” Jan Billhartz said.

Kendra Paulson, a volunteer organizer of the event, said 431 registered for the event, and she estimated 500 people were in attendance.

“Many protesters were middle-aged or older,” she said. “So many people told us this was their first time doing anything like this. We had one farmer drive from Greenville, said he wanted to be there. We had people in walkers, with their signs affixed on the front.”Paulson said with the temperature 48 degrees, and being cold and rainy, organizers were impressed with the turnout.

“People came ready to stand up. I think that speaks volumes on how everyone is feeling,” she said. “We are grateful to everyone who attended today to show what democracy in action looks like.”

Paulson said other events will follow. “We’ve got to keep the momentum going.”

This story was originally published April 7, 2025 at 5:29 PM.