Even this story is about Charlottesville, it is emblematic of the state of the country. People of differing politics cannot even talk. Google, Facebook are limiting discussion for which they disagree. Everything not politically correct is incorrect and subject to be banned. Universities ban conservatives who want to speak. Liberals have shot conservatives. What is occurring?
This is what the end of our country as we knew it. The first thing that dies is freedom of speech and it is gone.
Conservative Tom
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4783914/White-nationalists-hold-torch-lit-march-UVA-campus.html#ixzz4pZ1CNoqj
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This is what the end of our country as we knew it. The first thing that dies is freedom of speech and it is gone.
Conservative Tom
The battle of Charlottesville: At least two seriously hurt in clashes between white nationalists and counter-protesters at massive march in Virginia as governor warns public to 'stay away'
- Thousands were expected to attend the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia on Saturday
- Two have were seriously hurt in one heated clash before 11am, Virginia State police reported
- The rally was being held at Emancipation Park and hundreds were seen stomping through the city
- Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer denounced the 'cowardly parade of hatred, bigotry, racism, and intolerance march down the lawns of the architect of our Bill of Rights'
- A local state of emergency was declared around 11am and it was determined an unlawful assembly
- Alt right leader Jason Kessler led a torch lit march through the University of Virginia campus on Friday
- Hundreds of white nationalists joined him in the march which ended at the statue of Thomas Jefferson
- The alt-right activists were heard chanting 'Jews will not replace us' and 'white lives matter'
- They clashed with University of Virginia students who held an anti-racist protest on the grounds
- At least one person was arrested and several on campus were treated for minor injuries
- Director of the Center on Extremism said Saturday's event could 'be a potentially historic showcase of hate'
- First Lady Melania Trump admonished the day's events, tweeting: 'Our country encourages freedom of speech, but let's communicate w/o hate in our hearts. No good comes from violence'
Violence erupted and riot police were deployed to extinguish a planned rally where thousands of white nationalists were expected to gather for an alt-right protest in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday.
At least two people were seriously injured during a destructive clash between white nationalists and counter-protesters at Emancipation Park before the controversial Unite the Right rally, which was called off by the state.
First Lady Melania Trump admonished the day's outcome, tweeting: 'Our country encourages freedom of speech, but let's communicate w/o hate in our hearts. No good comes from violence.'
Hundreds were seen stomping through the city, wearing militia uniforms, waving flags and chanting 'Blood and Soil' as they made their way towards the event on Saturday morning.
Counter-protesters flocked to the march in retaliation against the white nationalists neo-Confederates, and alt-right activists, screaming: 'We're here, we're gay, we fight the KKK!'
Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer had denounced the 'cowardly parade of hatred, bigotry, racism, and intolerance march down the lawns of the architect of our Bill of Rights' and warned for residents to stay away from the rally.
The protest hadn't officially started but social media videos showed the rally was escalating as people were seen throwing objects, breaking out into fights and mace being sprayed into the crowd.
The violence forced the city to declare a local emergency and determined that the event was an unlawful assembly around 11am, using tear gas bombs to clear out the unruly crowd.
Arrests were made after police in riot gear attempted to clear the park and a group of protesters pushed back against them, while the battle between the two protester groups continued to rage on in the streets of the city.
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At least two people were seriously injured during a destructive clash between white nationalists and counter-protesters at Emancipation Park before the controversial Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday. A video appears to show the altercation, as a man is being dragged away while a woman screams: 'Don't allow them to do this!'
First Lady Melania Trump admonished the day's events, tweeting: 'Our country encourages freedom of speech, but let's communicate w/o hate in our hearts. No good comes from violence'
Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer has denounced the 'cowardly parade of hatred, bigotry, racism, and intolerance march down the lawns of the architect of our Bill of Rights' and warned for residents to stay away from the rally
The Unite the Right rally was being held at Emancipation Park and hundreds were seen stomping through the city, wearing militia uniforms, waving flags and chanting 'Blood and Soil' as they made their way towards the event
Several Nazi flags were seen proudly raised during the controversial rally protesting the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee
Arrests were made (left) after police in riot gear attempted to clear the park and some protesters pushed back against them
Police were in position at Emancipation Park and downtown Charlottesville by 6am as they prepared for the rally.
Between 4,000 and 6,000 people from groups including white nationalists, neo-Confederates and alt-right activists were expected to protest at the park, which had recently been renamed from Lee Park.
Right-wing blogger Jason Kessler planned what he called a 'pro-white' rally to protest Charlottesville's decision to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
U.S. District Judge Glen Conrad granted a preliminary injunction Friday in a lawsuit filed against Charlottesville by Kessler.
Supporters and counter-protesters screamed, chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday morning. Men dressed in militia uniforms were carrying shields and openly carrying long guns.
The protest hadn't yet begun when two people were seriously injured and protesters reportedly deployed pepper spray, according to state police.
The violence, which erupted ahead of the rally's start time of noon, forced the city to declare a local emergency around 11am and determined the event was an unlawful assembly, using tear gas bombs to clear the unruly crowd
Christopher Mathias, a reporter for the Huffington Post tweeted: 'Just witnessed a violent fight in a parking garage. Nazi dude pulled a gun. Some bad injuries'
The Unite the Right rally was being held at Emancipation Park and hundreds were seen stomping through the city, wearing militia uniforms, waving flags and chanting 'Blood and Soil' as they made their way towards the event
A group of white activists clash with others at the Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville on Saturday morning
Social media videos show the crowd throwing bottles and objects as police film the interaction from behind fences but don't intervene.
Brawls broke out as people in militia gear tackled others to the ground and began throwing punches.
Christopher Mathias, a reporter for the Huffington Post tweeted: 'Just witnessed a violent fight in a parking garage. Nazi dude pulled a gun. Some bad injuries.'
City officials declared a local emergency shortly after 11am. Colleen Cook, 26, stood on a curb shouting at the rally attendees to go home.
Cook, a teacher who attended the University of Virginia, said she sent her black son out of town for the weekend.
'This isn't how he should have to grow up,' she said.
Cliff Erickson leaned against a fence and took in the scene. He said he thinks removing the statue amounts to erasing history and said the 'counterprotesters are crazier than the alt-right.'
'Both sides are hoping for a confrontation,' he said.
Counter-protesters flocked to the march in retaliation (pictured) against the white nationalists, screaming: 'We're here, we're gay, we fight the KKK!'
'The Charlottesville event could be a potentially historic showcase of hate, bringing together more extremists in one place than we have seen in at least a decade,' said Oren Segal, director of the Center on Extremism at the Anti-Defamation League, a group that monitors and combats anti-Semitism
City officials declared a local emergency shortly after 11am. Brawls broke out as people in militia gear tackled others to the ground and began throwing punches
Up to 6,000 white nationalists, neo-Confederates, and alt-right activists, and rival protesters are expected
In response to the day's events, the University of Virginia announced on Saturday afternoon that all scheduled events and programming would be canceled.
The announcement stated: 'This cancellation includes all academic programming, the scheduled community discussions taking place in the University Libraries, and all UVA Athletic events and programming. The University is monitoring the developments in Charlottesville and continues to coordinate with state and local law enforcement.'
The city announced earlier this week that the rally must be moved out of Emancipation Park to a larger one, citing safety reasons. The rally and counter-protests are expected to draw thousands of people.
Kessler sued, saying the change was a free speech violation. The city said in a statement that it would abide by the judge's decision.
Alt right leader Jason Kessler had led a torch lit procession through the University of Virginia campus on Friday night with burning torches campus, ending at the statue of Thomas Jefferson.
Almost 200 white nationalists, neo-Confederates, and alt-right activists, were heard chanting 'white lives matter' and 'Jews will not replace us', clashed with University of Virginia students who held an anti-racist protest, and were seen holding up signs which read: 'VA students against white supremacists.'
Students on Friday night were heard chanting 'go home Nazis,' a reporter from the Washington Post tweeted.
Hundreds of white nationalists marched through the University of Virginia with burning torches on Friday
A group of white activists participate in a torch lit march through the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville
Almost 200 white nationalists, neo-Confederates, and alt-right activists, heard chanting 'white lives matter' held burning torches
White nationalists carry torches around a statue of Thomas Jefferson on the grounds of the University of Virginia
Jason Kessler lead the torch lit march of white nationalists on Friday. He is also the organizer of the Unite the Right rally which takes place tomorrow
Police say violence broke out between the rival groups and officers swiftly intervened to break up the riot which they ruled was an unlawful assembly.
At least one person was arrested and several on campus were treated for minor injuries, the Daily Progress newspaper said. Several of the marchers were also hit with pepper spray.
The protesters' decision to use flaming torches seemed to be a deliberate one, to bring back the imagery of KKK violence and cross burning.
Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer denounced the 'cowardly parade of hatred, bigotry, racism, and intolerance march down the lawns of the architect of our Bill of Rights.'
'Everyone has a right under the First Amendment to express their opinion peaceably, so here's mine... I am beyond disgusted by this unsanctioned and despicable display of visual intimidation on a college campus,' he told CNN.
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'Jews will not replace us' and 'white lives matter' were among chants heard at the rally, according to witnesses
The protesters' decision to use flaming torches seemed to be a deliberate one, to bring back the imagery of KKK violence and cross burning
Hundreds of alt-right activists snaked through the university campus, illuminating the path with their many torches
The march, which comes ahead of a much larger rally due to take place Saturday, was condemned by Charlottesville's mayor
But Friday night was just a taster of things to come as up to 6,000 people are expected to descend on the college town on Saturday for the Unite the Right rally.
Saturday's rally will gather at the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee at Emancipation Park - a focal point for a number of white supremacist protests since the council voted to remove the structure in April.
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe has urged Virginians to stay away ahead of Saturday's rally.
'In advance of the rally there have been communications from extremist groups, many of which are located outside of Virginia, who may seek to commit acts of violence against rally participants or law enforcement officials,' he said in a statement.
'In the event that such violent or unlawful conduct occurs, I have instructed state public safety officials to act quickly and decisively in order to keep the public and themselves safe.
White nationalists, neo-Confederates, and alt-right activists, heard chanting 'white lives matter,' clashed with University of Virginia students at the statue of Thomas Jefferson (pictured)
Students held an anti-racist protest, and surrounded the statue which has been the focal point for a number of white supremacist protests since the council voted to remove the structure in April and rename the park
'I want to urge my fellow Virginians who may consider joining either in support or opposition to the planned rally to make alternative plans.
'Many of the individuals coming to Charlottesville are doing so in order to express viewpoints many people, including me, find abhorrent.
'As long as that expression is peaceful, that is their right. But it is also the right of every American to deny those ideas more attention than they deserve.
'Men and women from state and local agencies will be in Charlottesville tomorrow to keep the public safe, and their job will be made easier if Virginians, no matter how well-meaning, elect to stay away from the areas where this rally will take place.'
The National Guard will be on standby, McAuliffe said.
They will be met by about 1,000 first responders and law enforcement, while the National Guard will be on standby.
Thousands of white nationalists, including supporters of the Ku Klux Klan white supremacist group, and anti-fascist activists are expected to turn out in Charlottesville, a sleepy town planning to remove a statue of General Robert E. Lee, who led Confederate forces in the US Civil War.
One group of students were seen holding up a sign which read: 'VA students against white supremacists'
Police say violence broke out between the rival groups and officers swiftly intervened to break up the riot which they ruled was an unlawful assembly
'The Charlottesville event could be a potentially historic showcase of hate, bringing together more extremists in one place than we have seen in at least a decade,' said Oren Segal, director of the Center on Extremism at the Anti-Defamation League, a group that monitors and combats anti-Semitism.
Earlier this week, the city had ordered the rally planned for Saturday to be relocated out of Emancipation Park to a larger one, further out of the city, citing safety reasons.
But Kessler, who organized the rally, said on Twitter that the company's move amounted to an attack on 'free speech and civil rights.'
He sued added that the change was a free speech violation and that moving the protest away from the Lee statue undermined his event.
An activist reacts to pepper spray in his eyes during a torch lit march through the University of Virginia campus
Several of the activists appeared to have been subjected to pepper spray, and several treated for minor injuries
Police used pepper spray on several marchers and counter-demonstrators after clashes broke out between them
A man who was pepper-sprayed is helped away from white supremacist marchers at the University of Virginia campus
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Glen Conrad granted a preliminary injunction Friday in a lawsuit filed against Charlottesville by the right-wing blogger which will allow the rally of white nationalists and other extremists to take place at its originally planned location downtown.
The city said in a statement that it would abide by the judge's decision.
Mimi Arbeit, an organizer of the planned counter-protests, rejected Kessler's argument that the rally was about freedom of speech.
'Fascism functions by using the institutions of a democracy towards its own ends,' she said by telephone.
On July 8 a few dozen Ku Klux Klan marchers gathered in Charlottesville to protest plans to remove the statue of Lee. But they were outnumbered by hundreds of jeering counter protestors.
Kessler, who also organized the Saturday's rally, was among the white activists and held up a tikki style torch during the march
The protesters' decision to use flaming torches seemed to be a deliberate one, to bring back the imagery of KKK violence and cross burning
Friday night (pictured) was just a taster of things to come as up to 6,000 people are expected to descend on the college town on Saturday for the Unite the Right rally
Earlier this week, the city had ordered the rally planned for Saturday to be relocated out of Emancipation Park to a larger one, further out of the city, citing safety reasons
This time the extreme right hopes to have a stronger showing thanks to the presence of various leaders of the 'alt-right' movement that has been emboldened by Donald Trump's ascent to the White House
This time the extreme right hopes to have a stronger showing thanks to the presence of various leaders of the 'alt-right' movement that has been emboldened by Donald Trump's ascent to the White House.
On Friday, City Manager Maurice Jones revealed this will be the largest Virginia State Police deployment in the state in nearly three decades.
'These are trying and difficult times for our city and our nation,' Jones said, according to the Daily Progress. 'We have deep political and ideological differences, and those differences will play out here in our community this weekend. It will be stressful and it will be tense, but I'm optimistic that cooler heads will prevail and we will ultimately be stronger as a community once this event is over.'
Generally, the white nationalist protesters appear to have come from outside the city, and many local residents have raised fears over Saturday's event.
Last month, hundreds went to City Hall to demand that the protest was cancelled.
Many local businesses have also declared their stores 'safe spaces' while both firms and local people have put up signs showing support for diversity ahead of the event.
However, Kessler has even bigger plans for the city.'
'We're going to have bigger and bigger events in Charlottesville,' he told CNN.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4783914/White-nationalists-hold-torch-lit-march-UVA-campus.html#ixzz4pZ1CNoqj
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