There's Not A Neo-Nazi Rally Scheduled In Alexandria: Police

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria Police say there was a miscommunication that neo-Nazis were planning to rally at the Appomattox Statue in Old Town Alexandria. Authorities say there is no such rally scheduled in the city.

Here's how the rumors got started: Police were knocking on residents' doors in the King Street area. Police told residents generally to be aware of gatherings in light of the recent events in Charlottesville.

Residents misread that as neo-Nazis would protest at Alexandria's Confederate statue. The Appomattox Statue at Prince Street and South Washington Street depicts a Confederate soldier with his back to the "North."

Police spokesperson Crystal Nosal says residents have the right to gather in public places, but police would alert residents if any gathering posed a potential threat to public safety.

Gatherings are already occurring in Alexandria, but they are headed by demonstrators against white supremacy. From Aug. 17-21, Solidarity Alexandria is hosting silent vigils outside white nationalist Richard Spencer's Alexandria office.

Spencer moved his white nationalist think tank, the National Policy Institute, to Alexandria following President Trump's election. Since then, activists have protested outside his door in hopes of driving him out of the city. But city officials' hands are tied since Spencer signed a lease, and Alexandria can't simply kick out someone with unpopular views.

Alexandria's city council voted to remove the Appomattox statue last year, but the legislature would not pass the necessary bill to do so, according to the Alexandria Times. However, the council has moved forward with removing the name of Confederate President Jefferson Davis from U.S. 1. The city is seeking resident input on a new name for the city's portion of the road.

Image of Appomattox statue via NCinDC/Flickr, used under Creative Commons