U.S. Cities Brace For Possible 'White Lives Matter' Events Sunday

ACROSS AMERICA — Cities across the country are preparing for conflict on Sunday after the Anti-Defamation League's Center for Extremism issued a warning that white supremacists are organizing "White Lives Matter" marches in cities throughout the United States.

The Center for Extremism attributed the warning to a new channel that emerged late last month on the messaging app Telegram, calling for "White Lives Matters" events on April 11.

The potential events have "attracted the attention of extremists and non-extremists," a statement by the Center for Extremism reads.

"Promotional language leans heavily on both white supremacist and racist tropes and plays into the narrative of white grievance that underpins white supremacist rhetoric," the statement continues.

So far, events are planned in cities including New York, Chicago, and Fort Worth, Texas, according to Newsweek.

Reports have also confirmed events in states including California, North Carolina, North Dakota, and Ohio, Forbes reported.

While it's possible many of the planned events won't come to fruition — details are minimal, Newsweek reported, with a majority not even providing a location — police are taking precautions regardless.

In Southern California, a rally — publicized with the hashtags #whitelivesmatter and #whitelivesmattermarch — is expected to take place at the Huntington Beach pier, according to the Orange County Register.

The local chapter of Black Lives Matter also is assembling a counterprotest, the report says.

Huntington Beach Police Chief Julian Harvey told the Register he's not taking any chances.

“Like any demonstration in the city, we are preparing and will continue to prepare until the day,” he told the newspaper. “We do have a plan to ensure public safety — not just the safety of the participants and the attendees, but also residents, businesses, and motorists.”

In North Carolina, two rallies will take place in Raleigh and Asheville at the same time, Newsweek reported.

A Raleigh Police Department spokesperson told Newsweek they are aware of the event, which has not been granted a permit.