Virginia KKK Rally: Tear Gas Used, 23 Arrested In Charlottesville

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — Ku Klux Klan members protesting the city of Charlottesville's decision to remove a Confederate statue was largely outnumbered by counter-protesters Saturday.

About 50 KKK members showed up, while more than 1,000 counter-protesters gathered, The Daily Progress in Charlottesville reported. The KKK members were escorted by police through Justice Park, while protesters shouted chants such as "When black lives are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back,” according to The Daily Progress.

The KKK's rally lasted only 45 minutes, but counter-protesters continued to decry the white supremacist group, as well as police. Nearly two hours after the rally's start, police declared the protest an "unlawful assembly." Authorities used tear gas and arrested 23 people.

Charlottesville Police Chief Al Thomas said in a statement provided to NBC 29, "Several outside groups made it clear they would become confrontational however, we were prepared for the unrest that occurred near the conclusion of the event which unfortunately resulted in a number of arrests. Order was quickly restored and our community remains safe."

Nic McCarthy, one of the protesters arrested, told NBC 29, "We did not want the KKK to enter the park so we linked arms and police did what they felt was necessary. We, as citizens, also have our First Amendment rights to gather and say, 'Actually, no we don't want you here.'"

The white supremacist group had secured a city permit in June to hold the rally, and the community, about 100 miles from the nation's capital, began bracing itself. A KKK member told The Washington Post before the rally, "our members will be armed" and will respond if attacked. Local leaders had urged residents to avoid confrontations with the hate group. (Subscribe to a Virginia Patch News Alert and Newsletter. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

The college town has been the site for white nationalist events after the city council announced its intent to remove a statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee. The Charlottesville City Council voted in April to sell the Lee statue in a city park, but the city cannot do so for six months since a judge issued an injunction earlier this month. A judge will hear arguments on dismissing the injunction on Aug. 30.

In May, white nationalists led by Richard Spencer protested the city's decision, chanting in the park, "You will not replace us." Other responses are expected: White nationalists involved in the May rally have applied for a permit for an Aug. 12 gathering in the park, according to The Daily Progress. In addition, the Traditionalist Workers Party, a socialist and white nationalist organization, said it would hold an event also in August.

A Facebook group opposing the removal of the Confederate leader's statue has more than 16,000 followers.

Pictured are the Ku Klux Klan protests on July 8, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The KKK is protesting the planned removal of a statue of General Robert E. Lee, and calling for the protection of Southern Confederate monuments.

Also pictured, counter protesters gather during a planned Ku Klux Klan protest on July 8, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The KKK is protesting the planned removal of a statue of General Robert E. Lee, and calling for the protection of Southern Confederate monuments. (Photos by Chet Strange/Getty Images News/Getty Images)