Yahoo News explains: What’s the significance of Lafayette Park?

On Sunday, white nationalists held a rally at Lafayette Park in Washington, D.C. It took place on the first anniversary of a similar rally in Charlottesville, Va., that saw violent clashes between far-right protesters and counterprotesters, and three related deaths.

Supporters of the Unite the Right movement at Sunday’s rally were greatly outnumbered by counterprotesters and the groups were separated by a police barricade in the park.

What’s the significance of Lafayette Park?

It’s a national park located across the street from the White House. Since the early 1900’s, it’s been a popular place for groups to exercise their First Amendment rights to send a message to a sitting U.S. president.

The First Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Given its First Amendment roots, Lafayette Park has seen many events over the decades such as: voting rights rallies; civil rights rallies; women’s rights rallies; war protests and neo-nazi rallies to name a few.

The National Park Service oversees First Amendment activities in public parks, but still has a responsibility to protect park resources and prevent conflict among visitors.

That’s why a permit is required for First Amendment activities, and the National Park Service states on its website that all requests are treated equally.

A Park Service spokesman told the N.Y. Times, “In anyone’s recollection, there has never been a First Amendment permit that’s been denied.”