Counter Protestors Wildly Outnumbered White Supremacists at Washington D.C. Rally
This Sunday in Washington D.C., hundreds of white supremacists were expected to attend a rally to mark the one year anniversary of the deadly "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
But, according to the Washington Post, less than 40 actually showed up. Instead, the area was flooded with thousands of counter-protestors and groups of law enforcement.
NBC reports that one woman, Shanie Yates, traveled from Virginia to D.C. to protest: "We won! That hit home for me-and I wanted to show strength in numbers. Look at all of us showing that we have love for one another, not hate."
The weekend's rally was led by Jason Kessler, who also famously helped organize the original "Unite the Right" rally, a violent event that led to the death of Heather Heyer. While Charlottesville wouldn’t allow Kessler to hold his "anniversary demonstration" there, Kessler gave a 15-minute speech this year in D.C., where he defended last year's events.
Jason Kessler spotted leading the way as about 25 white supremacists March around the small rally space (extremely embarrassing showing imo) pic.twitter.com/AOXGlBfHo3
- Caleb Ecarma (@calebecarma) August 12, 2018
President Trump infamously said the violence at the Charlottesville rally was due to "blame on both sides," and this year he tweeted, "The riots in Charlottesville a year ago resulted in senseless death and division. We must come together as a nation. I condemn all types of racism and acts of violence. Peace to ALL Americans!"
The riots in Charlottesville a year ago resulted in senseless death and division. We must come together as a nation. I condemn all types of racism and acts of violence. Peace to ALL Americans!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 11, 2018
While reports of the rally may lead some to believe that relations have improved since last year, CBS News and YouGov published a poll on Sunday that stated 61 percent of Americans think racial tensions have increased this past year. According to the poll, 78 percent of black Americans and 56 percent of white Americans think tensions have increased, and when it comes to President Trump’s handling of racial issues, the poll found that 58 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump, while 41 percent approve.
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