Hundreds of students and activists gathered on the streets on the one-year anniversary of the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virgina on Saturday. Last year, the far-right rally had turned violent when racially charged white nationalists marched through the University of Virginia campus.
The standoff on Saturday ended without any problems as police maintained tight security and students were asked to march off campus.
Officers in riot gear assembled where the rally was taking place and several activists expressed their anger over the police presence. Many protesters questioned why the police were there in riot gear. They also said that the police response was larger this year compared to the previous year.
Protesters held up signs like “Last year they came with torches. This year they come with badges” and chanted “Cops and Klan go hand in hand”.
US President Donald Trump, who didn't criticise the neo-Nazi rally last year, condemned racism on the one-year anniversary.
Residents and business owners in Charlottesville said that the massive deployment of police personnel was unnecessary. Many came to show their support to mark the anniversary.
Another Unite the Right rally and counter protests will be held in front of the White House on Sunday.
Antifa, a group of anti-fascist protesters, also marched with signs like “No to White Supremacy” and “Good Night White Pride”. They also paid tribute to Heather Heyer, who was killed when a man drove his car into the crowd of counter-protesters after last year's rally.