Kessler had applied to hold a rally in or near Emancipation Park in Charlottesville for Aug. White nationalism is a subset of racist beliefs that calls for a separate territory and enhanced legal rights and protections for white people. Antifa is shorthand for anti-fascists, an umbrella description for the far-left-leaning militant groups that resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations and other events. He also wrote on the application that “members of Antifa affiliated groups will try to disrupt” the rally. Photos: White supremacists clash with protesters in CharlottesvilleĪ white supremacist rally ended with three people killed, as violence erupted between white supremacists and counter-protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Aug. Business & Finance Click to expand menu.We 100% are going to make sure that groups remain separate. "We've had those types of high-tension assemblies in the District before. "Our role is to make sure we have a First Amendment event that goes on without any types of violence or destruction of property," Newsham said, according to CNN affiliate WTOP. Newsham said Washington law allows police to ban guns from certain areas when they deem it necessary. Newsham said no guns will be allowed near the rally sites, even if someone has a legal carry permit. In Washington, Police Chief Peter Newsham said his officers will keep the "Unite the Right 2" protesters and the counterprotesters separate.
States of emergency have already been declared for both Charlottesville and the Commonwealth of Virginia ahead of this weekend's rally, about 115 miles away in the nation's capital. "C-ville fights back, and we are asking the world to fight back, too!" What are police doing about security?Ĭharlottesville authorities came under criticism last year for underestimating the potential for violence, and they're trying to mitigate conflict this year. "We want to see students, activists and members of the global community rising up to fight fascism in their universities, local communities, and all institutions that uphold white supremacy and fascism," Majuto said. Kibiriti Majuto, an organizer with UVA Students United, encouraged everyone to join student leaders in promoting diversity and tolerance rather than white supremacy. Outside Washington, "anti-racist" activists plan to rally in Charlottesville, home of the University of Virginia. Sunday, a block away from the "Unite the Right 2" rally. The group said it is "organizing marching bands, drummers, puppets, and vibrant displays of art and culture to show the diversity and power of united communities in the face of right-wing violence."Īnd the "Rise Up Fight Back Counter-Protest" hosted by Black Lives Matter DC is due to take place between 2 and 7 p.m. Coalition is producing a "Still Here, Still Strong" rally to counter "Unite the Right 2" starting at noon Sunday. Members of 40 anti-racism groups plan to protest near Lafayette Square. But scuffles continued, and the violence culminated when a car plowed into a group of counterprotesters, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer.Ī 20-year-old man from Ohio, James Alex Fields Jr., was charged with second-degree murder in Heyer's death.
#UNITE THE RIGHT DC ORGANIZER FREE#
He said those issues include free speech, preserving history against "revisionism," combating political correctness and advocating for white interests.įistfights and screaming matches broke out, and the rally officially was called off. "The statue itself is symbolic of a lot of larger issues," Kessler said last year. Controversy also surrounded the planned removal of a statue of Confederate Gen.
Last year's rally came amid debate over the renaming of two parks honoring Confederate generals. Kessler has not responded to CNN's requests for comment for more details about this weekend's event. Organizer Jason Kessler, who also organized last year's "Unite the Right" rally, said in his permit application that this weekend's event is a "white civil rights rally." He also said the event is meant to protest "civil rights abuse in Charlottesville Va." That's what happened last year at the original "Unite the Right" rally and at a July 2017 Ku Klux Klan gathering in Charlottesville, where Klansmen were outnumbered 20-to-1. This weekend's event is expected to draw white nationalists, neo-Nazis and Ku Klux Klan supporters, just like the first event in Charlottesville.īut similar far-right protests have been dwarfed by counterprotesters. The organizer expects a maximum of 400 attendees, according to the permit application. Then, a demonstration is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. ET Sunday from Washington's Foggy Bottom subway station to Lafayette Square park, according to the "Unite the Right 2" website. Here's what you need to know: When will this happen?Ī march is to begin at 5 p.m.