Former Ku Klux Klan Imperial Wizard David Duke quickly exited a protest calling for the removal of a Confederate statue on Saturday after he was chased and shouted down by protesters.
Duke, who is running for Senate in Louisiana, showed up on Saturday in New Orleans to counter the Take 'Em Down NOLA protest, which is calling for the removal of a statue of Andrew Jackson.
"I tell you one thing. It was built by the forefathers of the European Americans who created this country and who gave us our constitution," Duke told the crowd. "Who gave us our freedoms and they should not lose their rights and liberty in their own country. They should not have their statues taken down. They should not lose their culture of this society."
Defending his appearance at the rally, Duke insisted, "All I am is a person standing up for my people. I respect black people who stand up for their rights."
In video posted to YouTube, Duke was seen surrounded by protesters.
"Racist, fascist, anti-gay!" the crowd chanted. "Right-wing bigot go away!"
The chants continued until Duke had vacated Jackson Square.
In the end, protesters were not successful at toppling the Andrew Jackson statue. At least seven demonstrators were arrested during attempts to break through a line of police surrounding the statuye.
