A group of American Nazis might sue the city of Lansing for holding a diversity rally the day of its white supremacist rally later this month, a group spokesman said.

The group, dedicated to the preservation of the Aryan race and the establishment of a socialist state in America, is also angry that a fence and metal detectors might be used for security at the National Socialist Movement's rally April 22 at the state Capitol Building.

Spokesman Bill White said the diversity rally violates First Amendment rights because it's not neutral, and added that a lawsuit is very probable.

"They're doing this to target us and to infringe our exercising of our rights," White said of the diversity rally.

But Lansing's Mayor Virg Bernero isn't worried about a possible suit, said Randy Hannan, Bernero's deputy chief of staff.

"The mayor is not concerned with what the Nazis are or aren't going to do," Hannan said. "He's focusing on running the city and planning a terrific diversity celebration for April 22."

The Nazi group also plans to take legal action to prevent the city from erecting a fence and metal detectors around the rally area, White said.

A fence, as opposed to other means of security, sends a negative message, he said, adding it violates their basic rights by controlling access to demonstrators.

Police used a fence and metal detectors when the Ku Klux Klan held two rallies at the Capitol in 1994, said Jerry Lawler, executive director of the Michigan Capitol Committee.

Klan members were separated from onlookers by a fence, and the groups "basically segregated themselves," Lawler said.

Police would not say if a fence and metal detectors will be used, but they have been used successfully in the past, said Shanon Akans, spokeswoman for the Michigan State Police.

"It is for the safety of everyone involved," Akans said. "The problems that result are between different groups; we want to ensure that there is no violence."

Neither Akans nor Hannan would disclose the amount of money being used for security.

Hannan also said he wasn't sure how much the diversity rally will cost, but said it shouldn't be too much with the help of sponsors.

White said he has had a hard time communicating with police and the city, but he plans to meet with the Michigan State Police today to try to work things out.

Staff writer Ken Osborne contributed to this report.