‘You Will Not Replace Us!’: White Supremacists Return to Charlottesville with Tiki Torches and Hate
‘We Are Here to Support White America’s Interests’
White Supremacist Richard Spencer and supporters held a tiki torch-lit rally at Emancipation Park in Charlottesville late Saturday, less than two months after activist Heather Heyer was murdered in the Virginia city.
“The Charlottesville Police Department says between 40 to 50 people, including alt-right leader Richard Spencer, held a tiki torch-lit rally in Emancipation Park around 7:40 p.m. Saturday,†the local CBS affiliate reported.
The report further indicated that the group rallied in support of confederate statues for “about five to 10 minutes†before boarding a tour bus and departing Charlottesville. The local police department “followed the tour bus to make sure the group left the city.â€
“We are here to represent white America’s interests,†Spencer spoke into a bullhorn, chastising both the left and the right for their lack of support. Video surfaced on Twitter, seen below:
White nationalists now chanting – “We will be backâ€. About 3 dozen supporters in Emancipation Park. Plenty of police on standby in park. pic.twitter.com/LuJEsAgxQy
— Matt Talhelm (@MattTalhelm) October 7, 2017
HAPPENING NOW: @RichardBSpencer & white nationalist supporters are back with their torches in front of Lee statue in #Charlottesville. pic.twitter.com/CwVhxpN7r8
— Matt Talhelm (@MattTalhelm) October 7, 2017
Local reporter Matt Talhelm, who captured the video, further reported that the mayor of Charlottesville had hinted the city is considering options to prevent future demonstrations:
#Charlottesville mayor hints city is considering options to prevent events like tonight’s torchlit rally. #UVA already banned open flames. https://t.co/bnD3YbUPB4
— Matt Talhelm (@MattTalhelm) October 8, 2017
Following the tragic events that cost Heyer her life in August, the President of the United States refused to denounce white supremacism. He has subsequently doubled down on his belief that violence occurred “on many sides.â€
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