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Protesters Rally Outside LAPD Headquarters In Response To Violent White Nationalist Rally In Charlottesville
More than a hundred protesters gathered outside the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters downtown Saturday to rally against the racist white nationalist gathering in Charlottesville, VA. Hours before the L.A. protest, several people were injured and one person killed in Charlottesville when violence erupted between "Unite the Right" protesters and counter-protesters. The white nationalist protesters in Charlottesville had organized a rally against the ordered removal of a statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee and hundreds of counter-protesters arrived to denounce the group, which had attracted neo-Nazi and KKK participation, according to the New York Times.
The L.A. rally was co-sponsored by the local arm of the Democratic Socialists of America and protesters brought signs supporting Black Lives Matter and denouncing fascism in America as well as signs expressing explicit support for Charlottesville. The group marched in a circle outside the headquarters, yelling chants like "No Justice, no peace," "No Trump, no KKK, no Fascist USA," and "Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here."
The death in Charlottesville came from a driver who actively drove into a crowd of protestors. The car was allegedly driven by James Field Jr., who is facing murder charges. The victim was identified as Heather Heyer, a 32-year-old paralegal.
L.A. wasn't the only city responding to the violence. Several vigils occurred in Washington D.C. and hundreds of people gathered in Grand Army Plaza in New York to condemn the white nationalists.
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Mayor Eric Garcetti spoke against the violence as well, according to the L.A. Times saying,
Angelenos and people everywhere condemn these acts of hatred, and are deeply saddened by the loss of life and injuries suffered today. We stand with [Charlottesville] Mayor Mike Signer and everyone in his city with hope and prayers for peace to be restored.
Another rally is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. outside Los Angeles City Hall, organized by the group Refuse Fascism L.A.
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