White nationalists staged a torchlight march in Charlottesville, United States, on Monday. On August 12, a white nationalist rally in the city in Virginia state had turned violent and led to death of a woman. Two police officers were also killed while trying to quell the violence in August.
The demonstrators, led by Alt Right founder Richard Spencer, carried torches to Emancipation Park near a covered statue of Confederate general Robert E Lee, Reuters reported. A case challenging the removal of the statue is pending in the court. The rally is a reaction to a larger debate on whether confederate symbols are a remnant of white supremacy and condone slavery.
“Charlottesville 3.0 was as success,” Spencer said in a video posted on Twitter. “We wanted to prove that we came in peace in May, we came in peace in August, and we come again in peace.” Spencer said there were no major confrontations during the demonstration.
Demonstrators chanted “You will not replace us” and “We will be back” slogans.
Charlottesville’s Mayor Mike Signer condemned the protestors on Twitter and asked them to “go home.” “Another despicable visit by neo-Nazi cowards,” Signer tweeted. “You are not welcome here. We are looking at all our legal options. Stay tuned.”
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