More than 700 Blockader barriers were set up in the park to help diffuse any potential confrontations when members of the controversial group Aryan Nations, described by the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader as “white supremacists,” held a demonstration in the park. Counter demonstrations by groups opposed to the Aryan Nations were also held at the same time.
Barriers were set up around the perimeter of the demonstration area, and also in long horizontal lines to keep the groups separated from each other. Barriers also kept the demonstration area clearly distinguished from the public area used by tourists visiting the park.
Prior to the demonstration, security preparations were highlighted on the newscasts of Fox 43, WPMT, the Fox network affiliate in near by York, Pennsylvania. News reports showed the Blockader barriers being trucked in, and showed workers setting up barricades.
Turnouts for the demonstrations were low, and no incidents were reported. But the situation spotlighted the fact that police and security personnel necessarily prepare for worst case scenarios, and when they do, they turn to established suppliers such as Blockader to quickly dispatch effective crowd control products.
