CALGARY–Violence erupted Saturday afternoon as about 30 members of a white supremacist group and hundreds of anti-racism protesters clashed in downtown Calgary.

At least two people suffered head injuries after they were struck by hurled projectiles and police arrested three people.

The Anti-Racist Action group gathered outside city hall to commemorate the International Day to Eliminate Racial Discrimination.

As they marched through the downtown, a bus carrying members of the Alberta-based neo-Nazi Aryan Guard arrived in the same area.

In all, about 500 people from the two groups clashed outside a transit station, which led to train and bus service briefly being shut down.

Some of the anti-racism protesters were angered that police escorted the Aryan Guard members on a march they claimed celebrated "White Pride World Day" in remembrance of their European culture and heritage.

"Stop protecting racists," they screamed at officers, who tried to form a human wall separating the two groups.

Members of the neo-Nazi group – many wearing sunglasses and scarves over their faces to hide their identities – waved white-power flags and signs bearing swastikas, and shouted expletives at the crowd.

As the clash heated up, water bottles, snow and placards rained down on the Aryans, who carried signs reading: "White pride, why not?"

Jason Devine, a spokesperson for the Anti-Racist Action group, said the white supremacists have to be exposed and ignoring them sends the wrong message to the public.

"Today's action won't get rid of the Aryan Guard, but it definitely is a blow to them," he said.

"The only way to deal with this type of virulent and violent racism is social ostracism – letting them know that this is not acceptable in this community."

Aryan Guard supporters Kelsey, 15, and Meghan, 18, who declined to give their last names, said they're not racists.

"I like being white and I think they take it the wrong way," said Kelsey, wearing a black scarf around her neck emblazoned with a white circle and cross in the middle.

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Calgary police have said the Aryan Guard has been trying to recruit students at Calgary schools.