This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day.
Update: 1 p.m.
Hundreds of All Lives Matter protesters still line the streets of downtown Minden. While some are leaving, others are arriving, many bearing American flags, Blue Lives Matter shirts and firearms. Many are wearing "I stand with Dan" hats in support of Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley, who addressed protesters earlier this morning.
A group of a few dozen Black Lives Matter protesters continue to protest by walking around Minden. They are largely outnumbered by All Lives and Blue Lives Matter protesters, many of whom are following Black Lives Matter protesters while they walk.
Douglas County Sheriff's Office officials could not be reached to comment on the protests or answer questions on the number of resources deployed on scene.
Update: 11:33 a.m.
Mounted deputies are now riding up Main Street but no deputies are seen among the crowds of about 100 Black Lives Matter protesters and several hundred pro-police protesters, many kitted out in military gear and carrying semi-automatic rifles.
Update: 11:18 a.m.
The Black Lives Matter protesters are now locking arms and walking back toward the sheriff's office. One of the people among them is a Blue Lives Matter supporter.
They are walking through the gauntlet of pro-police crowd who are shouting at them, calling the BLM crowd "garbage," and saying "You ain't welcome here" and "The only reason you’re not burning s*** is because we outnumber you!"
No sheriff's deputies are seen among the crowd. Some Blue Lives Matter supporters, one carrying a semi-automatic weapon, were encouraging the pro-police crowd to let the BLM group pass in peace.
"This what it’s like to be black in America right here," shouted a white BLM protester, repeating “She is peaceful” about a black woman in the middle of Blue Lives protesters.
Update: 10:50 a.m.
The Black Lives Matter protesters have left the area after being surrounded by pro-police rallyers amid shouting and threats. One older man in a cowboy hat is exhorting the Blue Lives Matter crowd to be respectful and let the BLM protesters leave in peace.
Update: 10:30 a.m.
The pro-law enforcement group has started to cross Main Street and chase off the Black Lives Matter protesters.
As a woman with a blue lives matter flag rallied protesters to cross the street toward Black Lives Matter group and “flush them out,” a tall man in a cowboy hat and a Trump mask said, “That’s just the thing we don’t need, everyone has the right to gather, no matter what it’s for.”
The Black Lives Matter protesters tried to move down the street but were followed and surrounded by the pro-police crowd.
Original story:
Sheriff Dan Coverley addressed a crowd of about 400 supporters Saturday morning, many of them chanting “Stand with Dan” and holding American flags and “Gods and Guns” protest signs.
“I love this community and my focus has and always will be on protecting it," Coverley said in front of the sheriff's office. “We understand recent correspondence between myself and the DC library has made national attention and may be the reason you are here today.”
In July, the Douglas County Library Board was set to consider a draft statement that read in part: "The Douglas County Public Library denounces all acts of violence, racism and disregard for human rights."
Related: Protest set for 11 a.m. today in Minden after sheriff's Black Lives Matter clash
The statement also included the line: "We support #BlackLivesMatter."
The indication of support for the Black Lives Matter movement prompted Coverley to threaten not to respond to 911 calls from the library.
"Due to your support of Black Lives Matter and the obvious lack of support or trust with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, please do not feel the need to call 911 for help," he wrote. "I wish you good luck with disturbances and lewd behavior, since those are just some of the recent calls my office has assisted you with in the past."
Story continues below:
Coverley later rescinded the threat, saying his department would continue to respond to all 911 calls. He later said he reacted that way because he "perceived that our office may be under attack."
“For the record we support the library and we will continue to protect and serve them, and all citizens and visitors to Douglas County,” Coverley said Saturday.
By 10 a.m. a small counter-protest of Black Lives Matter supporters had gathered across the street, chanting "U.S.A." and citing the Pledge of Allegiance.
More: Library chairwoman distances herself from diversity statement that enraged Douglas sheriff
Sheriff's deputies are on the roof and grounds monitoring the gathering.
The sheriff's office is committed to treating everyone in a fair, impartial and equitable manner in accordance with the law, Coverley said.
He noted that the DSCO has been in contact with library officials as well as members of the Black Lives Matter movement.
His initial statements were misinterpreted, the sheriff said.
“I simply meant that if you don’t trust law enforcement or the sheriff's office specifically don’t feel the need to ask for help,” Coverley said.
He elaborated on previous comments that he felt “attacked” by public calls to defund the police. He also said that if “police reform” means constantly improving his office, he is reforming every day.
Supporters cheered and clapped after one fan asked when he was going to run for governor.
RGJ investigative reporter Anjeanette Damon contributed to this article.
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