Lansing — Neo-Nazis were outnumbered more than 10 to one by police and protesters at a rally in downtown Lansing on Saturday.

About 75 members of the National Socialist Movement, who describe themselves as America's Nazi party, lined the steps of the Capitol just after 2 p.m.

Streets were closed in a several-block radius around the Capitol, and police estimated about 500 to 600 protesters passed through security checkpoints, while others opted to stay outside the police perimeter.

"From our standpoint we thought it went well," said Lt. Bruce Ferguson, the public information officer for the Lansing Police Department.

Police arrested 16 people, Ferguson said. Two of the arrests were for felonious assault, including one for assaulting a police officer.

In addition, arrests were made for disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, fighting in public, trespassing, disguising with intent to intimidate and resisting a police officer.

After the rally, as the protesters left the area immediately around the capitol, rocks were thrown at police officers, and the window of a police van was broken, according to the Michigan State Police.

Three people were treated for minor injuries with two taken to the hospital.

There were about 500 police officers involved, Ferguson said.

Members of the National Socialist Movement were bussed to and from the Capitol with a Michigan State Police escort.

In a news conference held before the rally, National Socialist Movement leader Jeff Schoep said the group was in Michigan to stand up to what he called an "immigration problem" and spread the group's message to its growing ranks.

"We're strong, we're coming up in Michigan," Schoep said.

Group spokesman Bill White could not be reached for comment afterward.

About 100 protesters gathered at the Riverfront Park in Lansing to demonstrate against the neo-Nazi rally.

The Lansing Coalition Against Nazis, Direct Action, the National Lawyers Guild, the National Women's Rights Organizing Coalition and the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action By Any Means Necessary were among the groups at the protest.

Political science senior Megan Gallagher helped organize the counterrally with the Lansing Coalition Against Nazis and spoke out against the neo-Nazi rally.

"They advocate violence and hate crimes," Gallagher said. "I don't think ignoring it is the solution."

The protest was intended to make enough noise to drown out the neo-Nazi rally and make their supporters uncomfortable, she said.

The protesters marched down East Washtenaw Avenue chanting, "No Nazis, no KKK, no fascist USA." They stopped before the Capitol at a police security checkpoint. In order to pass the checkpoints, people had to remove metal objects, shoes and belts for inspection. The lines were divided into men's and women's lines. Bags were not permitted. Water bottles and umbrellas were taken away.

"We don't think Nazis have the right to free speech and the state shouldn't be rolling out the red carpet for them," said Donna Stern, a member of the National Women's Rights Organizing Coalition. "They shouldn't be able to openly recruit on the Capitol steps."

Rachelle Teed, 25, of Laingsburg said she showed up to support the neo-Nazis because she believes that "white is right."

"All the English settlers were white," Teed said. "(Blacks) have affirmative action on their side and what do the founding people of this country have? Nothing."

She came to support her cause but was afraid of leaving because of threats from anti-Nazi demonstrators, she said. Her husband was waiting for her in the car.

"I can protect myself and fight off one or two people, but if I have to take on all of them, I'm dead," she said.

Washington D.C. resident Robert Cantrell came across the neo-Nazi rally while visiting family in Lansing.

"This wasn't on the agenda," said Cantrell, 40.

The scene in Lansing reminded him of the nation's capital where protests are commonplace, he said.

However, Cantell noted that it was one of the most organized rallies he had ever seen.

The counter protesters were close enough to shout out their message, but the police kept them far enough away from the neo-Nazis to prevent trouble, he said.

Protesters were dispersed quickly at the conclusion of the rally, as police in riot gear sealed off streets and forced crowds to leave the area.

In addition to the Lansing Police Department and the Michigan State Police, departments that assisted came from East Lansing, MSU, Bath Township and Ingham, Clinton, Eaton, and Jackson counties, as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Several hundred protesters marched down Shiawassee Street following the rally. Police prevented the crowd from entering a diversity rally at Eastern High School, 220 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Hundreds of people taking part in outdoor activities at the celebration were told to go inside because the protesters were approaching. Some of the participants mistakenly thought the protesters marching to the celebration from the Capitol would be Nazis.

"It definitely killed the happy, upbeat tempo," said Kari Pnacek, a 2004 MSU graduate, who attended both the counterrally at Riverfront Park and the diversity celebration.

According to a police estimate, nearly 1,000 people gathered at the "Win the Day" event for free ethnic food, performances by dance and musical groups, and the opportunity to meet local politicians.

Prominent members of the Lansing area who attended included East Lansing Mayor Sam Singh, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon,

"It's a good way to celebrate values," Simon said. "I imagine downtown there will be people who are more vocal and this was not a way of saying that's not possible, but to give people an alternative."

Children and adults made brightly colored origami "peace cranes" at the Greater Lansing Network Against War and Injustice's tables. Airline tickets, a night at a bed and breakfast and sports gear were part of a free raffle.

Outside, bands played throughout the day and people played basketball.

Greg Mellema, 57, of Grand Rapids, said he enjoyed the day.

"It's wonderful mostly because of its multicultural emphasis," Mellema said.

Staff writers Bob Darrow, Corinne DeVries, Adam Lark, Laura Misjak, Ken Osborne, Gabrielle Russon and Melanie Thomas and freelance writer Alex Abate contributed to this report.