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The Anti-Defamation League, the nation's most prominent advocate against anti-Semitism, said it was 'deeply troubled' by rallies staged near in Washington D.C., Sunday by so-called "alt-right" groups.

The ADL argued the events were helping to bring white supremacist beliefs into the mainstream.

"White supremacy and hate, and those who exist in that orbit, need to be rejected. When white supremacists and their apologists feel their messages are getting mainstream attention and have an audience, that should raise alarm bells for all Americans across the political spectrum who reject hatred and bigotry," said ADL head Jonathan Greenblatt.

Alt-right is a catch-all term for certain conservative activist groups, in particular the people associated with the groups who have used racially-charged or xenophobic rhetoric. The groups tend to be supporters of President Trump's anti-immigration policies.

The ADL, which has long monitored extremist groups on the left and far right, said such "public rallies are increasingly common." The statement was not in reaction to anything said at the rallies. It was issued in advance of the events.

Two separate groups announced rallies for Sunday. Roger Stone, a longtime advisor to President Trump who had a falling out with the the president during the campaign, spokes remotely to a "Rally Against Political Violence" near the White House to condemn the shooting of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and others during a June 14 baseball practice in northern Virginia.

A second event, called the "Freedom of Speech" rally, was held near the Lincoln Memorial and featured Richard Spencer, a highly controversial figure who is widely credited with coining the term alt-right.

Many of the people involved in Stone's event were set to participate in the Lincoln Memorial one, but decided to hold a different event once they learned of Spencer's involvement.

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Anti-Defamation League 'deeply troubled' by alt-right rallies - Washington Examiner