so, EIGHT days prior to the march this article is published...
http://bluevirginia.us/2017/08/racist-unite-right-rally-sparks-fear-violence-charlottesville-812
Dear Supporter,
Once again Charlottesville is the focus of national attention as an “alt-right” rally is scheduled for Aug. 12, bringing hate and fear to an otherwise peaceful community.
And once again people of faith are ready to rise up to meet this challenge with prayer, presence and, yes, even love.
Charlottesville survived a July protest by the Klan without serious incident, but city officials appear concerned that the coming “Unite the Right” rally could be bigger and more dangerous. Led by white supremacist Richard Spencer and local activist Jason Kessler, thousands of people could attend. The rally’s stated purpose is to protest the removal of the city’s Robert E. Lee statue from the park, recently renamed Emancipation Park. City officials have been attempting to convince Kessler to relocate his rally. Kessler has responded by hiring the Warlords motorcycle gang as his “security.”
But the statewide interfaith community is stepping up without fear of intimidation, as several events are scheduled for the coming week. At St. Paul’s Memorial Episcopal Church, across from the University of Virginia Rotunda, the Rev. Elaine Ellis Thomas issued this invitation: “We are happy to open our doors on the evening of Friday, Aug. 11, for a mass prayer meeting, much in the spirit of the old civil rights marches the night before they would gather to sing and to pray and to build community and then to go out into the world the next day to proclaim love and justice for all people.”
There will also be worship services Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. at University Baptist Church Monday, Aug. 10, at 7 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
There will also be a community-wide discussion, “Countering Charlottesville’s Summer of Hate,” Monday night at Westminster Presbyterian Church. This educational event on non-violent protest will be led by Richard Lord of the Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice and is being sponsored by Charlottesville Gathers.
First United Methodist Church will serve as a safe space on Aug. 12. For those supporters in the Charlottesville area who want to make a contribution, please bring water bottles and snacks to First UMC between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Aug. 9-11.
United Methodist Bishop for Virginia Sharma Lewis has asked clergy serving under her leadership to join in non-violent response to the “alt-right” gathering. “With this interfaith response, we as the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church have the potential to be a positive influence with our ecumenical brothers and sisters,” she wrote in a letter to pastors. “We as a church need to be a visible beacon to support this community against hate.”
In a statement to NBC29 TV, Kessler said “Most of these so-called “faith leaders” are from Unitarian churches that don’t even believe in God. They’re open Communists disguising their political activity in a veneer of religiosity. They’re scam artists and should have their IRS tax exemption revoked.”
Sometimes when a small fringe group spews hate and craziness, we probably should just ignore it. Other times, like now, it is important for people of faith to stand up against those who spew hate against Jews, Muslims, people of color or others in our community.
If you have questions, visit the websites of Congregate Charlottesville or the Charlottesville Clergy Collective. The Virginia Interfaith Center appreciates all the work that has been done to organize a peaceful response to neutralize this kind of hate and not let it have the last word.
We also appreciate your support for our work. Please consider making a donation to support the programs of the Interfaith Center.
Yours in faith and solidarity,
Neill Caldwell
Director of Communications, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
... and 5 days ago this article is published...
Charlottesville says permit for Unite the Right will be approved only if
rally is moved to McIntire Park
www.richmond.com/.../charlottesville...unite-the-right.../article_475201b0-c6d5-588f...5 days ago - “The fact that they'd try and move it away from the statue is, in itself, ... The Unite the Right rally, scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, ...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
and last night...
Federal judge allows 'alt-right' rally to go ahead as planned - USA Today
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/08/11/charlottesville.../560829001/
1 day ago - Charlottesville is bracing itself for yet another white nationalist rally on ... UVA reacts to white nationalist march on campus and Charlottesville clashes ..... A federal judge's ruling has cleared the way for the alt-right group "Unite the Right" and white nationalists to hold a rally in downtown Charlottesville, Va., ...
A federal judge's ruling has cleared the way for the alt-right group "Unite the Right" and white nationalists to hold a rally in downtown Charlottesville, Va., Saturday near the endangered statue of Robert E. Lee over the objections of wary city authorities.
U.S. District Judge Glen Conrad ordered a preliminary injunction late Friday night in a lawsuit filed against the city by right-wing blogger Jason Kessler.
The rally is expected to draw white nationalists, neo-Nazis, neo-Confederates and alt-right activists to Charlottesville’s Emancipation Park to protest the city’s vote to remove the statue of the Confederate general.
“It’s important we preserve this history that is under attack,” said Kessler, who organized the rally.
The city had tried to get organizers to move the rally to a different park. After the judge's Friday night ruling, Mayor Mike Signer, who opposed holding the rally near the Lee monument, said the city would now turn its full attention to "protecting the downtown area" during Saturday's protest.
After the ruling, far-right protesters gathered at the University of Virginia ahead of Saturday's rally. Protesters marched on the school grounds with torches, who later were ordered to disperse by university police after they declared the protest an "unlawful assembly." Images of the protest circulated on social media.
University of Virginia President Teresa A. Sullivan issued a statement, condemning the demonstrations and confirming that law enforcement officials are investigating the incident.
"I am deeply saddened and disturbed by the hateful behavior displayed by torch-bearing protesters that marched on our Grounds this evening," Sullivan said. "I strongly condemn the unprovoked assault on members of our community, including University personnel who were attempting to maintain order."
"It is my hope that any individuals responsible for criminal acts are held accountable," Sullivan said, adding: "The violence displayed on Grounds is intolerable and is entirely inconsistent with the University’s values."
In a statement, Signer also slammed the rally, calling the protest "a cowardly parade of hatred, bigotry, racism, and intolerance."
"Everyone has a right under the First Amendment to express their opinion peaceably, so here's mine: not only as the Mayor of Charlottesville, but as a UVA faculty member and alumnus, I am beyond disgusted by this unsanctioned and despicable display of visual intimidation on a college campus," Signer said.
In the past few months, white nationalist groups have paid particular attention to Charlottesville, a progressive college town where over 80% of residents voted for Hillary Clinton. In May, several dozen demonstrators, led by prominent white supremacist Richard Spencer, gathered at night by the Lee statue, wielding torches.
In July, Ku Klux Klan members held a rally in Charlottesville in Justice Park, where they were met with more than a thousand upset counter-protesters.
White nationalist groups continue to return to Charlottesville partly because they saw the May torch light gathering as a great success, noted Heidi Beirich, director of the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center.
“They loved the imagery of that. They were over the moon about that,” she said. “They viewed it as having been a wonderful recruiting tool.
Neo-Nazi website The Daily Stormer told readers to bring tiki torches for a planned torchlight ceremony.
On Monday, the city said the rally would not be allowed to go forward unless it was moved to another park about a mile from the city’s downtown, citing safety concerns due to crowd size. Police expect anywhere between 2,000 to 6,000 people, said city police captain Victor Mitchell in a press conference Friday.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the Rutherford Institute, a civil liberties organization in Charlottesville, filed suit against the city on behalf of Kessler on Thursday, saying his constitutional rights had been violated.
“While the message of the 'Unite the Right' rally may raise strong feelings of opposition among area residents and political leaders, that opposition can be no basis for government action that would suppress the First Amendment rights of demonstrators who have acted according to the law,” the organizations wrote in a joint letter to city officials on Tuesday.
Kessler, who resides in Charlottesville, said he was “absolutely not” going to change venues, regardless of the judge's ruling.
“We are going to Lee Park no matter what the outcome of the court case,” he said.
Residents described a city on edge, with helicopters circling overhead and heavy police presence.
“We are on pins and needles over here,” said David Straughn, a member of Black Lives Matter Charlottesville.
People are concerned about potential violence during clashes among protestors, counter-protestors and the police, said Jalane Schmidt, an associate professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia.
“It’s a tense feeling. We don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, if EVERYONE in the U.S. KNEW this march was happening, WHY DID THEY ALLOW OTHER GROUPS TO EVEN ASSEMBLE ???
The ONLY group that filed paperwork to HAVE AN ASSEMBLY in Charlottesville yesterday was "Unite the Right".
WHY were other groups ALLOWED TO ASSEMBLE ???
Charlottesville KNEW THIS WAS POSSIBLE AND STILL ALLOWED IT TO HAPPEN, THEY ARE PARTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENCES.
http://bluevirginia.us/2017/08/racist-unite-right-rally-sparks-fear-violence-charlottesville-812
Dear Supporter,
Once again Charlottesville is the focus of national attention as an “alt-right” rally is scheduled for Aug. 12, bringing hate and fear to an otherwise peaceful community.
And once again people of faith are ready to rise up to meet this challenge with prayer, presence and, yes, even love.
Charlottesville survived a July protest by the Klan without serious incident, but city officials appear concerned that the coming “Unite the Right” rally could be bigger and more dangerous. Led by white supremacist Richard Spencer and local activist Jason Kessler, thousands of people could attend. The rally’s stated purpose is to protest the removal of the city’s Robert E. Lee statue from the park, recently renamed Emancipation Park. City officials have been attempting to convince Kessler to relocate his rally. Kessler has responded by hiring the Warlords motorcycle gang as his “security.”
But the statewide interfaith community is stepping up without fear of intimidation, as several events are scheduled for the coming week. At St. Paul’s Memorial Episcopal Church, across from the University of Virginia Rotunda, the Rev. Elaine Ellis Thomas issued this invitation: “We are happy to open our doors on the evening of Friday, Aug. 11, for a mass prayer meeting, much in the spirit of the old civil rights marches the night before they would gather to sing and to pray and to build community and then to go out into the world the next day to proclaim love and justice for all people.”
There will also be worship services Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. at University Baptist Church Monday, Aug. 10, at 7 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
There will also be a community-wide discussion, “Countering Charlottesville’s Summer of Hate,” Monday night at Westminster Presbyterian Church. This educational event on non-violent protest will be led by Richard Lord of the Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice and is being sponsored by Charlottesville Gathers.
First United Methodist Church will serve as a safe space on Aug. 12. For those supporters in the Charlottesville area who want to make a contribution, please bring water bottles and snacks to First UMC between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Aug. 9-11.
United Methodist Bishop for Virginia Sharma Lewis has asked clergy serving under her leadership to join in non-violent response to the “alt-right” gathering. “With this interfaith response, we as the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church have the potential to be a positive influence with our ecumenical brothers and sisters,” she wrote in a letter to pastors. “We as a church need to be a visible beacon to support this community against hate.”
In a statement to NBC29 TV, Kessler said “Most of these so-called “faith leaders” are from Unitarian churches that don’t even believe in God. They’re open Communists disguising their political activity in a veneer of religiosity. They’re scam artists and should have their IRS tax exemption revoked.”
Sometimes when a small fringe group spews hate and craziness, we probably should just ignore it. Other times, like now, it is important for people of faith to stand up against those who spew hate against Jews, Muslims, people of color or others in our community.
If you have questions, visit the websites of Congregate Charlottesville or the Charlottesville Clergy Collective. The Virginia Interfaith Center appreciates all the work that has been done to organize a peaceful response to neutralize this kind of hate and not let it have the last word.
We also appreciate your support for our work. Please consider making a donation to support the programs of the Interfaith Center.
Yours in faith and solidarity,
Neill Caldwell
Director of Communications, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
... and 5 days ago this article is published...
Charlottesville says permit for Unite the Right will be approved only if
rally is moved to McIntire Park
www.richmond.com/.../charlottesville...unite-the-right.../article_475201b0-c6d5-588f...5 days ago - “The fact that they'd try and move it away from the statue is, in itself, ... The Unite the Right rally, scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, ...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
and last night...
Federal judge allows 'alt-right' rally to go ahead as planned - USA Today
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/08/11/charlottesville.../560829001/
1 day ago - Charlottesville is bracing itself for yet another white nationalist rally on ... UVA reacts to white nationalist march on campus and Charlottesville clashes ..... A federal judge's ruling has cleared the way for the alt-right group "Unite the Right" and white nationalists to hold a rally in downtown Charlottesville, Va., ...
A federal judge's ruling has cleared the way for the alt-right group "Unite the Right" and white nationalists to hold a rally in downtown Charlottesville, Va., Saturday near the endangered statue of Robert E. Lee over the objections of wary city authorities.
U.S. District Judge Glen Conrad ordered a preliminary injunction late Friday night in a lawsuit filed against the city by right-wing blogger Jason Kessler.
The rally is expected to draw white nationalists, neo-Nazis, neo-Confederates and alt-right activists to Charlottesville’s Emancipation Park to protest the city’s vote to remove the statue of the Confederate general.
“It’s important we preserve this history that is under attack,” said Kessler, who organized the rally.
The city had tried to get organizers to move the rally to a different park. After the judge's Friday night ruling, Mayor Mike Signer, who opposed holding the rally near the Lee monument, said the city would now turn its full attention to "protecting the downtown area" during Saturday's protest.
After the ruling, far-right protesters gathered at the University of Virginia ahead of Saturday's rally. Protesters marched on the school grounds with torches, who later were ordered to disperse by university police after they declared the protest an "unlawful assembly." Images of the protest circulated on social media.
University of Virginia President Teresa A. Sullivan issued a statement, condemning the demonstrations and confirming that law enforcement officials are investigating the incident.
"I am deeply saddened and disturbed by the hateful behavior displayed by torch-bearing protesters that marched on our Grounds this evening," Sullivan said. "I strongly condemn the unprovoked assault on members of our community, including University personnel who were attempting to maintain order."
"It is my hope that any individuals responsible for criminal acts are held accountable," Sullivan said, adding: "The violence displayed on Grounds is intolerable and is entirely inconsistent with the University’s values."
In a statement, Signer also slammed the rally, calling the protest "a cowardly parade of hatred, bigotry, racism, and intolerance."
"Everyone has a right under the First Amendment to express their opinion peaceably, so here's mine: not only as the Mayor of Charlottesville, but as a UVA faculty member and alumnus, I am beyond disgusted by this unsanctioned and despicable display of visual intimidation on a college campus," Signer said.
In the past few months, white nationalist groups have paid particular attention to Charlottesville, a progressive college town where over 80% of residents voted for Hillary Clinton. In May, several dozen demonstrators, led by prominent white supremacist Richard Spencer, gathered at night by the Lee statue, wielding torches.
In July, Ku Klux Klan members held a rally in Charlottesville in Justice Park, where they were met with more than a thousand upset counter-protesters.
White nationalist groups continue to return to Charlottesville partly because they saw the May torch light gathering as a great success, noted Heidi Beirich, director of the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center.
“They loved the imagery of that. They were over the moon about that,” she said. “They viewed it as having been a wonderful recruiting tool.
Neo-Nazi website The Daily Stormer told readers to bring tiki torches for a planned torchlight ceremony.
On Monday, the city said the rally would not be allowed to go forward unless it was moved to another park about a mile from the city’s downtown, citing safety concerns due to crowd size. Police expect anywhere between 2,000 to 6,000 people, said city police captain Victor Mitchell in a press conference Friday.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the Rutherford Institute, a civil liberties organization in Charlottesville, filed suit against the city on behalf of Kessler on Thursday, saying his constitutional rights had been violated.
“While the message of the 'Unite the Right' rally may raise strong feelings of opposition among area residents and political leaders, that opposition can be no basis for government action that would suppress the First Amendment rights of demonstrators who have acted according to the law,” the organizations wrote in a joint letter to city officials on Tuesday.
Kessler, who resides in Charlottesville, said he was “absolutely not” going to change venues, regardless of the judge's ruling.
“We are going to Lee Park no matter what the outcome of the court case,” he said.
Residents described a city on edge, with helicopters circling overhead and heavy police presence.
“We are on pins and needles over here,” said David Straughn, a member of Black Lives Matter Charlottesville.
People are concerned about potential violence during clashes among protestors, counter-protestors and the police, said Jalane Schmidt, an associate professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia.
“It’s a tense feeling. We don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, if EVERYONE in the U.S. KNEW this march was happening, WHY DID THEY ALLOW OTHER GROUPS TO EVEN ASSEMBLE ???
The ONLY group that filed paperwork to HAVE AN ASSEMBLY in Charlottesville yesterday was "Unite the Right".
WHY were other groups ALLOWED TO ASSEMBLE ???
Charlottesville KNEW THIS WAS POSSIBLE AND STILL ALLOWED IT TO HAPPEN, THEY ARE PARTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENCES.
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