Supporters, critics of Alfie Oakes face off in downpour amid Black Lives Matter rally

Hundreds of supporters and critics of Alfie Oakes faced off Saturday in a heavy downpour of rain over his Facebook post that COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter are hoaxes, and that George Floyd is a "disgraceful career criminal."

Though the event in Naples did not lead to violence, participants of both protests exchanged harsh words against each other on the sidewalk outside of Oakes' Seed to Table grocery store.

Deputies from the Collier County Sheriff's Office began to step in as the yelling progressed. Ultimately, though the rain ended up driving a number of protesters, largely those who came in support of Oakes, to their vehicles and inside the grocery store. 

At one point before the rain picked up one group of protesters yelled, "Black Lives Matter" while the Oakes supporters yelled "All Lives Matter" back. 

An Oakes supporter waving an American flag ran along the sidewalk where supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement stood and shouted that “Black Lives Matter is a "hoax.” 

Black Lives Matter protesters chanted repeatedly "1, 2, 3, 4, we don't want your racist store."

Many of Oakes' supporters wore red, white and blue and Trump or MAGA (Make America Great Again) attire while holding American flags and various signs such as “My rights don’t stop where your feelings start” and “All Lives Matter.”

Oakes and his supporters gathered about an hour before the Black Lives Matter rally was scheduled to begin in the parking lot of his grocery store. 

More:Lee County school District announces it is cutting ties with Oakes Farms

And:Owner says he's following governor's order amid COVID-19

Oakes addressed the crowd and provided free food and drinks. The crowd was led in prayer then heard a rendition of the National Anthem, which led into a “USA, USA” chant.

Oakes later told Naples Daily News that the purpose of his rally was not to protest the Black Lives Matter movement.

“Ours is not a protest. We’re not protesting anything," he said. "We’re simply trying to stick up for the First Amendment. We’re seeing in the media now where we’re only hearing one side."

"I love everyone," Oakes said. 

Rebecca Taylor, of Naples, said she came out to support Oakes because she shops at the grocery store and agrees with him on different issues.

Those who showed up to the rally at this grocery store truly believe in this country and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor said. 

It’s important to remember police officers risk their lives every day and the rally was a chance to be around like-minded people, Taylor said.

Chantel Rhodes, of Lee County, came out to support the Black Lives Matter cause.

"I wanted to make sure that my face and my voice was represented here today," Rhodes said. "This is about the owner of this business making remarks about the Black Lives Matter movement. He called the movement a hoax; therefore, he's calling the lives of Blacks a hoax too."

"It feels good because you can see everybody is dedicated to standing for a good cause even through bad weather," said Napa Peacock, another supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement. 

Kris Knudson, who helped organize the Black Lives Matter protest, said it was about the community coming together to protect neighbors from a wealthy businessman. 

Knudson has lived in Collier County his entire life and said he was not surprised by racism in the community. 

I’ve lived here my entire life and am not surprised by how racist the Oakes supporters are, Knudson said. It’s about influencing the future of the community, he said. 

RaShawn Taylor, a Collier County resident, said he came to the protest to give hope to young boys and girls who are Black like him.

"They need to live in a world where they have the same opportunities that their majority counterparts have access to," he said. "They need to love themselves and understand they are not the problem."

"I just want justice and equality for all."

Supporters of Oakes began leaving the rally once the rain began Saturday afternoon. 

Protesters in favor of the Black Lives Matter movement continued until around 4:15 p.m. when they took a knee near the intersection of Immokalee Road and Livingston Road then marched back to their vehicles at the North Collier Regional Park. 

More photos:Hundreds of protesters march through Naples

More photos:Community members protest for racial justice in North Naples