White nationalist sees model for rallies across USA
Leader suggests quick- hit protests
A white nationalist rally dubbed “Charlottesville 3.0” could provide a blueprint for future controversial protests across the USA even as livid political leaders struggle to halt the demonstrations they consider racist.
The rally on Saturday, featuring white nationalist leader Richard Spencer, was the third prompted by the Virginia city’s plans to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from its Emancipation Park.
A rally in August escalated into violence that left one counterprotester dead and ignited a political firestorm when President Trump cited “blame on both sides.”
The tiki- torch- lit 10- minute rally Saturday night drew 40 to 50 people who listened to fiery speeches, sang Dixie and chanted slogans such as “the South will rise again.”
“You are going to have to get used to the alt- right,” Spencer said to applause. “You are going to have to get used to white identity.”
Charlottesville police said in a state-
“We came, we triggered, we left. We are going to do it again.” Nationalist leader Richard Spencer
ment that there was no violence and that the group left the city by bus immediately after the rally ended. Miriam Dickler, a spokeswoman for the city, told the local Daily Progress that such protests are protected by the First Amendment “unless we perceive a legal or safety issue.”
Spencer called the rally a “great success.”
“We came, we triggered, we left,” Spencer said. “We are going to do it again.”
Spencer told USA TODAY the model of quick protests without advance publicity could become the norm.
“We obviously want to speak our piece, talk about the importance of these monuments,” Spencer said Sunday. “We came in peace in May, we came in peace in August, we came in peace on Saturday. We do not want violence.”
“Alt- right” is a loosely defined group whose ideology can include racism, populism and white nationalism. Its Charlottesville rallies have consistently drawn the ire of local officials and University of Virginia administrators, students and faculty, as well as public figures across the nation.
After news of Saturday’s rally spread, counterprotesters gathered outside the residence of UVA president Teresa Sullivan. Among the chants: “No cops, no KKK, no fascist UVA.” By contrast, thousands of counterprotesters showed up in August because that rally had been promoted ahead of the event.
Spencer, a UVA graduate, already has plans to speak this month at the University of Florida, which grudgingly gave consent on free- speech grounds. Lawyer Kyle Bristow said Ohio State and the University of Cincinnati have until Friday to approve Spencer’s appearances there or face litigation.
Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer blasted Saturday’s gathering as “despicable.” Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, tweeted his opposition “to these racists.” City CouncilmanWes Bellamy called for felony intimidation charges against the participants.
The statue from Emancipation Park has been covered with a black tarp for weeks, its removal delayed by litigation. It has been a lightning rod for protests by white nationalists, who consider Confederate leaders heroes, and opponents, who consider the leaders racists for fighting to maintain slavery and want the statues removed.
The uproar has led to the removal of Confederate statues in Baltimore; Durham, N. C.; and other cities. Hundreds more remain in dozens of states.