The city of Charlottesville, Virginia has declared the ‘Unite the Right’ rally, a swarming protest that purports to be about the planned removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, to be an ‘unlawful assembly’ and are arresting people as we speak.
ALERT: Unlawful assembly declared for rally at Emancipation Park #cvilleaug12 pic.twitter.com/2OcchnDNFS
— Charlottesville City (@CvilleCityHall) August 12, 2017
Here is the Virginia statute on unlawful assembly #cvilleaug12 pic.twitter.com/R26ArtUAAD
— Charlottesville City (@CvilleCityHall) August 12, 2017
The rally has been underway since last night and, besides numerous clashes with other groups and counter-protesters, has been a source of a great deal of trouble and negative press coverage. Social media has buzzed all day with some calling them Nazis or the Klan, while others shout the South will Rise Again or favorably share Hitler quotes. Now the game is next level as the city itself, and the state police, begin to crack down on the “nationalist” protesters.
Arrests are being made following declaration of unlawful assembly at Emancipation Park in Charlottesville. #cvilleaug12 pic.twitter.com/6XAn1hYLAS
— VA State Police (@VSPPIO) August 12, 2017
VSP troopers gradually moving protesters safely down Market St. in Charlottesville #cvilleaug12 pic.twitter.com/D3QO9iZc8k
— VA State Police (@VSPPIO) August 12, 2017
Our legal observers are watching, making sure police don't violate anyone's rights. #Charlottesville pic.twitter.com/zoEIcFDoBN
— ACLU of Virginia (@ACLUVA) August 12, 2017
Is this Germany 1933? No, it is #Charlottesville 2017. Nazis are marching in America. I blame you @realDonaldTrump you gave Nazis permission pic.twitter.com/ohqUpDOOhH
— Andrea S McKinnon (@ansmck2) August 12, 2017
White supremacists clash violently with counterprotesters ahead of rally #Charlottesville https://t.co/83BVgmajhd pic.twitter.com/y5UUyE5pob
— Major Garrett (@MajorCBS) August 12, 2017