An "End Racist Violence" protest in Tampa on the eve of the 4th of July devolved into an American flag burning demonstration.

At the rally at Curtis Hixon Park Friday, participants waved signs denouncing white racism and chanted "Black Lives Matter!" while they burned both the Confederate flag and American flag.

Calling the American flag a "piece of sh*t," protestor Jesse Nevel explained why the group chose to burn it.

"To us the Confederate flag and the American flag, those represent the same thing which is that this country, this social system was built on slavery and genocide," said Nevel, a member of the Uhuru Solidarity Movement, a group that seeks to end "white racist violence."

"Both the Confederate and the U.S. flags represent slavery, genocide and bloodshed," said Nevel, according to the group’s website. "This country was built on the oppression of African people. White violence is as old as America itself. It is time white people to stand up and take responsibility for this history. Reparations for stolen black lives!"

"It's important to show solidarity with people of color because we're all in this together," said protester Kathy Morris. "We all have a responsibility to try and make sure that people are safe and continue that American dream."

While many of the rallyers supported the flag burning, some were less enthusiastic than others. "I’m not sure what message that sent," said one protestor. "We just organized the event to make sure people came here and had an outlet to express themselves. We didn’t plan every detail."

Local CBS affiliate 10News reports that the activists listed three demands for the City of Tampa: Bring down the Confederate flag at I-4 and I-75, rename Robert E.Lee Elementary school, and investigate police stops of black bicyclists.

The American Mirror points out that the Uhuru Solidarity Movement held a similar event a few weeks ago in Brooksville, Florida.