A planned Unite the Right white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, drew nationwide attention as neo-Nazis with torches marched on the University of Virginia campus Friday night and officials called for a state of emergency amid protests Saturday morning.
Many Unite the Right protesters wore white nationalist and Nazi paraphernalia, a militia arrived armed with heavy weaponry and some individuals wore Ku Klux Klan imagery. Former KKK leader David Duke attended.
Counter-protesters were out in force, too, chanting progressive slogans and singing civil rights-era songs.
Police called the protest an unlawful gathering and attempted to disburse the white nationalists and counter protesters from a central location. Both sides began to march throughout Charlottesville, despite skirmishes and the use of tear gas.
Several counter-protesters were injured when a car rammed into a crowd of them marching through the streets. The car fled the scene.
The rally was ostensibly a protest against removing a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from a Charlottesville park. From its original base of right-wing “patriot” groups, the rally started drawing a growing number of neo-Nazis — and become a flashpoint for a resurgent, outspoken white nationalism that drew strength from the campaign and presidency of Donald Trump.
As events unfolded, it became clear that Unite the Right protesters wanted to air a variety of grievances, shouting racial, religious, and anti-LGBT slogans.
Friday night, the night before the planned rally was scheduled to begin, a group of about 100 white nationalists marched on the University of Virginia carrying tiki torches and chanting Nazi slogans. Police dispersed the crowd, and one protester was arrested.
Saturday morning, the scheduled rally began at Emancipation Park, where white nationalists; counter-protesters, including church groups; and unofficial “militias” carrying weapons and dressed in camouflage assembled. Fights broke out between rallygoers and counter-protesters:
This group is lining up to charge into counterprotesters. Incredibly tense here. pic.twitter.com/kGkwDcv2oO
— Joe Heim (@JoeHeim) August 12, 2017
At least two people were injured in one scuffle, although not seriously, according to Virginia state police. Protesters and counter-protesters were using pepper spray and throwing tear gas canisters:
Gas canisters are thrown back and forth, police moving in for arrests. "This area has been declared an unlawful assembly." Everyone must go. pic.twitter.com/qW0SHTmLr1
— Jack Smith IV (@JackSmithIV) August 12, 2017
Police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly. Not long after the rally began, Charlottesville declared a local emergency, and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a statewide state of emergency. McAuliffe already had the state National Guard on standby, according to ABC News.
Unlawful assembly declared pic.twitter.com/IYh7MsCwjH
— NBC29 (@NBC29) August 12, 2017
As the rally dispersed, white nationalist groups went on the march through Charlottesville, chanting anti-Semitic, anti-immigration, and racist slogans — including “one people, one nation, end immigration, according to the Washington Post’s Joe Heim. They targeted spectators specifically for abuse:
Now chanting "go the fuck back to Africa"and "nigger" at black woman across the street pic.twitter.com/zOxUlYIpOQ
— Joe Heim (@JoeHeim) August 12, 2017
The rally moved to another park in Charlottesville, McIntire Park, while counter-protesters assembled near the courthouse:
More #unitetheright protestors in #mcintire park in #charlottesville pic.twitter.com/pfLKzZJA4Z
— NBC29 (@NBC29) August 12, 2017
One rallygoer claimed to have been hit in the head by “antifa” counter-protesters while going to a parking garage:
Rally supporter bashed in head by Antifa pic.twitter.com/WI9PtpGAMs
— Jeff Giesea (@jeffgiesea) August 12, 2017
A car rammed into a crowd of counter-protesters
Several counter-protesters were injured when a car ran into them as they marched through a street.
Folks said counter protesters were hit by a vehicle as they turned the corner. Medics are here. #Charlottesville pic.twitter.com/qQAIRy7YSN
— ACLU of Virginia (@ACLUVA) August 12, 2017
Footage of the car makes it appear that it was headed, at high speed, directly toward the protesters for several hundred feet before the collision.
Video of car hitting anti-racist protestors. Let there be no confusion: this was deliberate terrorism. My prayers with victims. Stay home. pic.twitter.com/MUOZs71Pf4
— Brennan Gilmore (@brennanmgilmore) August 12, 2017
Police are investigating a three car collision. One car left the scene but police now have that car. Did not know if any arrest was made.2/2
— Joe Heim (@JoeHeim) August 12, 2017
Medics responded to the scene. Several counter-protesters were injured, with at least one suffering from “life-threatening” injuries.
Virginia State Police spokesperson say injuries in crash range from life threatening to minor. Did not say how many injuries. 1/
— Joe Heim (@JoeHeim) August 12, 2017
The driver was reportedly taken into police custody. Police officers at the scene told reporters that the driver “wasn’t malicious.”
The driver was taken into police custody right after the incident. Police say the car was covered in dents prior and apparently hit by a bat
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) August 12, 2017
Anyway several police officers at the station here think the guy running people down wasn't malicious. They said the driver was scared
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) August 12, 2017
According to Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer, there has been at least one fatality.
I am heartbroken that a life has been lost here. I urge all people of good will--go home.
— Mike Signer (@MikeSigner) August 12, 2017
While the University of Virginia had planned counter-programming and events throughout the afternoon, it’s been canceled due to the state of emergency.