The problem here is these "counter" protestors can be the ones who start the violence... which (as we have seen here) can lead to tragedy. I've seen the photo's coming out of the Charlottesville protests.. and in no way, shape,  or form, could it be considered peaceful assembly when both sides were in action.   I hesitate to call the people on the one side as  White Nationalists/ kkk types though..  (while I am sure some were certainly in attendance..)   Most were just voicing their disproval at removing the statue which remembers a key figure in the civil war.