White nationalists and counter-protesters gathered in front of the White House Sunday to mark one year since the violent clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia. Police in Washington, D.C., are promising tight security for the “Unite the Right” rally.
A group of about 20-40 white nationalists were escorted by police as they marched toward Lafayette Square, just north of White House. They were followed by more than 700 counter-protesters who shouted and taunted them as they marched Sunday.
Another large group of counter-protesters were gathered east of the White House at Lafayette Square. They were chanting, “no hate, no fear, KKK is not welcome here,” and carrying signs that read “black trans lives matter” and “solidarity trumps hate.”
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency in Charlottesville ahead of the anniversary. Last year, one woman, Heather Heyer, was struck and killed by a car driven by a white supremacist. That rally began as a protest against a plan to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, which still stands in Charlottesville.
On Sunday, more than 200 people gathered at Charlottesville’s Washington Park to protest racism and remember Heyer. They gathered to recite poetry, sing songs and hold a moment of silence. A crowd of activists gathered with her mother, Susan Bro, at the site where Heyer was killed.
“There’s so much healing to do,” Bro said, the Associated Press reports. “We have a huge racial problem in our city and in our country. We have got to fix this or we’ll be right back here in no time.”
Susan Bro, mother of Heather Heyer, arrives at the spot where her daughter was killed one year ago in Charlottesville.
Logan Cyrus/AFP/Getty
Follow below for updates on Sunday’s rally. All times are Eastern unless otherwise noted.
