White Nationalist Torch Rally In Charlotte Canceled Due To ‘Safety Concerns,’ Organizers Say

CHARLOTTE, NC -- Organizers of an “anti-communist” march set for Charlotte in late December that was to include white nationalist Richard Spencer have canceled the rally after the headliner pulled out, the group said on social media Tuesday.

The group organizing the Dec. 28 “March Against Communism” event in Marshall Park, Anti-Communist Action, had urged participants to carry torches, and carry guns and flags, The Charlotte Observer reported.

News of the rally in the wake of violence provoked by white supremacists marching in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August prompted Queen City activists and religious leaders to organize their own counter protest for the same day. Event organizer Jibril Hough told Talking Points Memo that the event featuring music and political speeches would go on, “even if they don’t show up,” in order to “allow us to show our diversity and a united front,” TPM reported Thursday.

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The open setting of a city park, however, proved to be the rally’s undoing, according to organizers. “In light of safety concerns, we’ll no longer be holding an event in Marshall Park. This was agreed upon by both organizers and guests,” the group AntiCom said in a tweet Thursday morning.

The cancellation announcement followed a series of tweets by Spencer, who said the rally’s venue had changed several times since he had agreed to speak, “when the rally was planned for a private, hotel venue.” The venue was then moved to a university facility after the hotel backed out, and then to Marshall Park.

“After thinking it over, I informed the organizers on Monday that I have to cancel my appearance,” Spencer said. “I can handle my own security. I worry about the safety of others in an open-field situation. Open-field rallies are dangerous at this point, but still possible. But we can’t trust Charlotte’s municipal authorities.”

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department took to social media to address the rally plans, but said the group had not formally sought a permit or responded to their inquiries. “AntiCom organizers have NOT contacted CMPD w desire to host event in CLT or file for permit,” the police department tweeted Sept. 23. “In event AntiCom group requests permit, CMPD will vet organization to ensure no safety concerns or threats per dept protocol.”

By Sept. 27, CMPD had received more than 600 emails and phone calls about the protest, it said.

Despite the rally cancellation, some white nationalist groups have stated on social media they intend to march in Charlotte on Dec. 28. “I am going to the Charlotte rally no matter what, come hell or high water,” one white nationalist said in response to Spencer’s tweet. “If enough white nationalists show up to the rally in large numbers we not [sic] need to worry about security.”

Pictured is Richard Spencer, a leader in the "alt-right" that mixes racism, white nationalism and populism. Image by David J. Phillip/Associated Press

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