Protests and vigils across the nation
Protesters decrying hatred and racism converged around the United States yesterday, saying they felt compelled to counteract the white supremacist rally that spiralled into deadly violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.
The gatherings spanned from a march to President Donald Trump’s home in New York to candlelight vigils in several cities. In Seattle, police arrested three men and confiscated weapons as Trump supporters and counter-protesters converged downtown.
Some focused on showing support for the people whom white supremacists condemn. Other demonstrations were pushing for the removal of Confederate monuments, the issue that initially prompted white nationalists to gather in anger at the weekend. Still other gatherings aimed to denounce fascism and a presidential Administration that organisers feel has let white supremacists feel empowered.
“People need to wake up, recognise that and resist it as fearlessly as it needs to be done,” said Carl Dix, a leader of the Refuse Fascism group organising demonstrations in New York, San Francisco and other cities. “This can’t be allowed to fester and to grow because we’ve seen what happened in the past when that was allowed.”
In Seattle, a rally previously planned for yesterday by the conservative proTrump group known as Patriot Prayer drew hundreds of counter protesters. A barricade separated the two groups as police officers stood by dressed in black riot gear.