WASHINGTON — Proud Boys, an extremist group with ties to white nationalism, attracted roughly 250 supporters to its Demand Free Speech rally at Freedom Plaza and Pershing Park Saturday to protest what they contend is an anti-conservative bias on social media.

But the a self-proclaimed “chauvinistic men’s group” was outnumbered roughly 2-1 by counter-protesters.

Among those were approximately 50 anti-fascists or antifa, wearing all black, many with helmets and their faces covered.

Barricades manned by at least one hundred police officers on bikes and motorcycles kept the warring protest groups apart.

When police prevented some antifa from entering Freedom Plaza, they went around another block and charged a makeshift police barricade of officers standing in front of caution tape. Ultimately, antifa and the Proud Boys did not come face-to-face and there was no violence, unlike clashes between the groups last weekend in Portland, Oregon, in which eight people were injured, including conservative writer Andy Ngo who was attacked while live-streaming on Twitter.

After returning from their march, antifa dispersed and counter-protesters back in Pershing Park joined in a dance party for resistance, .

The Proud Boys made news in D.C. earlier this week, as well. On Thursday, a group of Proud Boys protested an American flag burning in front of the White House. It ended in a scuffle that earned national attention. The Southern Poverty Law Center classifies Proud Boys as a hate group.

Patricia James, 59, came from Anaheim, California, for the “Salute To America” program from President Donald Trump on July 4th, and for the Demand Free Speech rally. She said she is here to defend the First Amendment and was live-streaming the rally and counter-protesters to her Facebook, she said.

“I have no idea why they would protest freedom of speech,” James said. “The only countries that don’t allow freedom of speech are socialist, communist countries. If anybody wants that, like those people over there, they can go live in those countries and see what happens.”

On the All Out DC counter-protest side, a large crowd gathered around the stage where a representative from a group of black organizers talked about ending oppression worldwide, and empowering black people regardless of gender. The woman led the crowd in various call and response chants to the tunes of Lizzo’s recent hits from her new album “Cuz I Love You.”

Activists also spoke about transgender rights and violence against transgender people.

Jeff Myers, 66, met his adult daughter at the counter-protest to encourage tolerance, he said.

Ajoke Williams, 29, of Black Lives Matter D.C., was among those who helped organize the counter protest with All Out DC. She said she was happy with how the day turned out and to see such a diverse crowd protest fascism and intolerance.

“My biggest fear was cops and the possibility of escalation,” Williams said. “But we had a really good group."

The United States Park Police has jurisdiction over Freedom Plaza and the National Mall and has long been aware of the rallies being planned. Prior to Saturday’s events, Sgt. Eduardo Delgado said police were prepared, but not concerned with any threats.