ORLANDO, Fla. -- Fistfights broke out and police made 17 arrests Saturday at a neo-Nazi rally and march through a predominantly black neighborhood in Orlando, according to Local 6 News.

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IMAGES: Fistfights At Rally

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The trouble began before about 30 members of the National Socialist Movement began their march down Church Street in Orlando, the report said.

"They just saw an opportunity to come up and start harassing," Orlando police Capt. Jeff O'Dell said.

In khaki uniforms, tall black boots and red arm patches bearing swastikas, the neo-Nazi group marched through downtown Orlando.

During the march, neo-Nazis held signs with such slogans as "White People Unite" and statistics claiming that crime is predominantly committed by blacks.

"We are here today to make sure people are talking about the relationship between race and crime," a NSM member said.

During the march, about 500 counter-demonstrators kept pace with the hate group.

Grandparents held the hands of their grandchildren as they watched the march from the front of their homes.

"The older generation grew up seeing hate. They grew up seeing these kinds of groups being open and I think for some African-Americans they want the younger generations to see that hate still exists," said the Rev. O'Hara Black of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church.

Fourteen of those arrested are members of out-of-town groups such as the Skinheads Against Racial Prejudices and the Southeastern Anarchist Network, said Orlando police spokeswoman Barb Jones. All faced charges including disorderly conduct, battery on a law enforcement officer and wearing a mask, police said.

More than 300 law enforcement officers were on hand to avoid the violence that marked another gathering of the Minneapolis-based neo-Nazi group in October in Toledo, Ohio.

"Think about a minority officer who has to protect these people," Orlando police spokesman Heath McCoy said.

Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary said there were about 100 deputies involved with officers from other counties.

Local 6 News showed video of snipers on downtown buildings during the march.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.