The white supremacist group that created an uproar in Princeton after spreading flyers saying it was hosting a march, now says its rally was a hoax to gain attention and publicity.

The New Jersey European Heritage Association wrote on social media Friday that it never intended to march on Saturday.

“You’ve been punk’d," said the post on gab, a social media platform know for allowing AltRight content. It was also posted on Twitter.

“There isn’t going to be a ‘march’ this Saturday, there never was," it said.

The group said it wrote that message because of the online attention the NJEHA has received over the past several days. Its website has experienced an uptick in traffic, according to the group.

“This exercise demonstrates that the so-called ‘tolerant’ phony privileged limousine liberals of Princeton have no respect for freedom of speech," the statement reads.

Princeton Police Department announced that they will still have safety measures in place Saturday.

“There are new developments regarding tomorrow’s protest /counter protest. Earlier this afternoon the organizers who originally posted the flyer announcing the rally, have now followed up that announcement with another saying their actions were all a hoax. We are still investigating to determine the legitimacy of that claim,” Sgt. Frederick R. Williams said in a statement.

“Our community deserves our best effort in making that determination. So at this time, as our detectives continue to investigate, we will still move ahead with our efforts to provide a safe, secure environment in Palmer Square tomorrow in light of the possibility of there still being a significant number of people on hand. Our preparations have the safety and well being of Princeton residents, businesses and visitors in mind,” Williams said.

Palmer Square and Hulfish Street will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic beginning at 5 a.m. on Saturday. Nassau Street will be shut down between University Place and Witherspoon Sreet at 10 a.m.

Until now, the New Jersey European Heritage Association has been little more than a web presence with a stockpile of angry flyers that can be downloaded.

No one speaks on its behalf, and it makes no claims of membership. Indeed, those who follow hate groups say there is no evidence of a large following.

“We think it’s a pretty small group,” said Heidi Beirich, of the Southern Poverty Law Center. “Maybe 20 at most.”

The group’s website was first registered in March 2018, but the administrator was not disclosed.

Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LivRizz. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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