Dueling protests took place on the Ithaca Commons on Saturday between Back the Blue and Anti-Racist rallygoers. A festival against hate began a day of activity on the commons, organized by the Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America and the Ithaca Pantheras.

"It seems like everything we're put together recently we've gotten a big turnout. And I think that speaks to the fact that people are looking for this message to be raised. That another world is possible, that we can change our society so it works for everyone," said David Foote, with Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America.

What You Need To Know

  • Back the Blue and Anti-Racist protesters came head to head on Saturday on the Ithaca Commons

  • Some came in response to a protest last weekend that got violent

  • Estimates of 700 people were present, despite local officials asking people not to come

  • Police say no one was arrested and people stayed peaceful

Protesters were creating signs in support of Black Lives Matter and chanting. Hours later on the other side of the commons, a Back the Blue protest was getting underway.

"They need to be respected and revered, rather than maligned as they have been," said Rocco Lucente, with Back the Blue Tompkins County.

Lucente says he partially organized the rally in response to something that happened last weekend.

"A mob of vicious thugs and criminals showed up and decided to attack people. They dislocated a 64-year-old woman's shoulder," said Lucente.

That isn't the only recent example of rising tensions in the city. Local representatives actually put out a message discouraging people from attending Saturday's rallies. They said "planned rallies have not applied for or received permission to hold a lawful assembly, and we have serious concerns about potential violent conflict."

But that warning didn't stop the estimated crowd of 700-800 people, according to Ithaca Police. Some people say they came in response to what they saw last weekend.

"I'm not from Ithaca, I'm from out of town I came down here because if we don't stop this now, people assaulting other people with different beliefs, different parties. It'll work its way out into the smaller towns," said protester Jim Hollis.

"Violence only begets more violence, and even when people have views that are abhorrent to us, they have a right to express them," said protester Sabrina Johnston.

Despite the groups meeting up and chanting at each other, Ithaca Police say no one was arrested.

"I'm very pleased to see that people remained civil and there were no acts of violence or vandalism," said Ithaca Police Chief Dennis Nayor.