Images of neo-Nazis marching in the streets and violent clashes between alt-right protesters and counterprotesters in Charlottesville last year are still fresh in many residents' minds. On Aug. 12, 2017, a "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville turned deadly when a 20-year-old Ohio man allegedly accelerated his car into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer and leaving 19 others injured, five critically. Now, some of the same right-wing groups involved in those events in Charlottesville are planning another protest to coincide with the anniversary this weekend. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and the city of Charlottesville declared states of emergency ahead of this weekend’s anniversary. The governor said in a press conference Wednesday he will allow agencies to call in the National Guard to assist in security efforts. But larger protests are planned for Washington D.C. Here's what you need to know. What happened last year? Charlottesville, best known for being home to the state university created by Thomas Jefferson, may seem like an unusual choice for a heated battle involving neo-Nazis, but there was a reason that "Unite the Right" organizers chose the town for their rally. Charlottesville had been in a months-long battle over what to do with a statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee, who led the Confederate army during the Civil War. Many cities across the country have been grappling with what to do with their Confederate statues, as some feel that they are reminders of a dark time of racism in U.S. history and should be taken down. Earlier in 2017, the Charlottesville City Council had voted to remove the Lee statue and rename the park where it is located. A group of white nationalists protested the decision in May, prompting criticism from the mayor. But that protest paled in comparison to what unfolded in August. The "Unite the Right" rally was scheduled for Sat. Aug. 12 and participants started to gather in Charlottesville the night before. A group of white nationalists holding lit tiki torches marched through the campus of the University of Virginia, some chanting the Nazi-associated phrase "blood and soil." The formal rally was scheduled to start at noon Saturday but the first skirmishes of the day between protesters and counter-protesters were reported that morning. Tensions soared and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency before noon that day. The violence reached its peak at 1:42 p.m. when James Alex Fields rammed his car into a crowd of counterprotesters. Heyer was killed and 19 others were injured. Two Virginia State Police troopers were killed when their helicopter crashed outside of Charlottesville. The troopers, Lt. H. Jay Cullen and Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates, were lending air support in response to the violence in Charlottesville. Trump's controversial response President Donald Trump was spending time at his golf club in Bedminister, New Jersey, and released a statement condemning the violence but not calling out the white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups in attendance. "We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry, and violence on many sides — on many sides," Trump said in a short statement delivered in New Jersey. "It's been going on for a long time in our country. Not Donald Trump. Not Barack Obama. It's been going on for a long, long time." Trump tweeted twice more that afternoon, offering condolences to the families of Heyer and the troopers, but did not make any specific mention of the controversial groups. On Aug. 13, a White House spokesperson who would not be publicly identified released a statement about Trump’s comments Saturday. "The president said very strongly in his statement yesterday that he condemns all forms of violence, bigotry, and hatred, and of course that includes white supremacists, KKK, neo-Nazi and all extremist groups. He called for national unity and bringing all Americans together," the White House spokesperson said. It wasn't until two days later, on Monday afternoon, that Trump made another televised statement, this time, being more explicit. "Racism is evil. And those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans," he said. "To anyone who acted criminally in this weekend's racist violence, you will be held fully accountable. Justice will be delivered," he added. But Trump added more fuel to the fire on Tuesday, Aug. 15 during a televised press conference in which he lashed out at criticism of his initial statement. Asked about his immediate response Saturday, Trump quickly went on to blame both sides for the conflict, adding that there were "very fine people" among both the white supremacists and the counter-protesters. "I think there is blame on both sides. You look at both sides. I think there is blame on both sides," Trump said during his remarks on Aug. 15. "You had some very bad people in that group. You also had some very fine people on both sides," he added. What is expected to happen this weekend? Groups from both sides of the conflict have planned public demonstrations on the anniversary of the Charlottesville clashes, but this time they're moving it to a bigger stage. Permits for protests have been granted in different parts of Washington D.C., with the organizers of the original "Unite the Right" rally planning to march from a nearby Metro station to a demonstration in Lafayette Square Park, directly opposite the White House. Multiple counter-demonstrations have also received permits, including groups like Black Lives Matter and an individual who plans to burn a Confederate flag in Lafayette Park. More details about the demonstrations are expected to be released in the coming days.<doc-sep>CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Charlottesville, Virginia, was marking the anniversary of last summer's white supremacist violence with marches, vigils and other community events that began unfolding peacefully Saturday amid a heavy police presence. As many businesses in a popular downtown shopping district began to open Saturday, law enforcement officers outnumbered visitors. Concrete barriers and metal fences had been erected, and police were searching bags at two checkpoints where people could enter or leave. "It's nice that they're here to protect us," said Lara Mitchell, 66, a sales associate at a shop that sells artwork, jewelry, and other items. "It feels good that they're here in front of our store. Last year was a whole different story. It looked like a war zone last year compared to what it is today." Saturday marked the anniversary of a nighttime march by torch-toting white supremacists through the University of Virginia's campus a day ahead of a larger rally in Charlottesville's downtown. On Aug. 12, hundreds of white nationalists -- including neo-Nazis, skinheads and Ku Klux Klan members -- descended on Charlottesville in part to protest the city's decision decided to remove a monument to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from a park. Violent fighting broke out between attendees and counterprotesters that day. Authorities eventually forced the crowd to disperse, but a car later barreled into a crowd of peaceful counterprotesters, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer. The day's death toll rose to three when a state police helicopter that had been monitoring the event and assisting with the governor's motorcade crashed, killing two troopers. Among the remembrance events scheduled for Saturday was a "morning of reflection and renewal" at UVA that featured musical performances, a poetry reading and an address from University President James Ryan. Ryan recalled how a group of students and community members faced off against the white supremacist marchers near a statue of Thomas Jefferson on campus, calling it a "remarkable moment of courage and bravery." Later Saturday evening, students and activists planned to hold a "Rally for Justice" on campus. By midafternoon, the city said hundreds of people had passed through the downtown checkpoints and there had been two arrests, one on a trespassing charge and one on a disorderly conduct charge -- both misdemeanors. Gov. Ralph Northam and the city both declared states of emergency earlier in the week, citing the "potential impacts of events" during the anniversary weekend. The state's declaration allocates $2 million in state funds and authorizes the Virginia National Guard to assist in security efforts. Some community activists were concerned that this year's heavy police presence could be a counterproductive overreaction. An independent investigation of the rally violence, led by a former federal prosecutor, found the chaos last year stemmed from a passive response by law enforcement and poor preparation and coordination between state and city police. Lisa Woolfork, a University of Virginia professor and Black Lives Matter Charlottesville organizer, said police are mounting a "huge, overwhelming show of force to compensate for last year's inaction." "Last year, I was afraid of the Nazis. This year, I'm afraid of the police," Woolfork said. "This is not making anyone that I know feel safe." But others said Saturday they were comforted by the security measures. Kyle Rodland, who took his young sons to get ice cream downtown, said he felt much safer than last year, when he left town with his family and stayed with his parents after seeing people armed with long rifles walking around outside his home. Events marking the anniversary were also expected Sunday in both Charlottesville and Washington, D.C., where Jason Kessler, the primary organizer of last summer's rally, has obtained a permit for a "white civil rights" rally. Heyer's mother, Susan Bro, said in an interview with The Associated Press that she has been dreading the anniversary of her daughter's death for months. Bro likened losing a child to standing in shallow water as waves roll continually in. "You let the wave wash over, and you don't chase it. You let it go and you're OK until the next one comes," she said. "But today, I feel like high tide is in." By Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press. Sarah Rankin contributed to this report.<doc-sep>Sometimes we like to pretend this kind of thing is unprecedented in America. As we prepare to mark the one-year anniversary of the deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville and the subsequent response of President Donald Trump, let’s take a moment to understand what this means for America today. The Charlottesville events of 2017 all started with neo-Nazis carrying tiki torches and white nationalists yelling epithets at people of color and ended with the tragic death of Heather Heyer, who was there to protest this hate. And our president’s response to this was that there "was blame on both sides." Sometimes we like to pretend that this kind of thing is unprecedented in America. It is not. These white nationalists, as well as many commentators that support Trump, have a long history in America of using people’s fears of a changing country to create hate against anyone who doesn’t look like them. African-Americans have dealt with this throughout our history and still do today. Even after the Civil War was fought over slavery, and the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments were passed, we still dealt with blatant discrimination for 100 more years until civil rights legislation was passed. Even at that time, in the 1960s, many politicians and citizens fought against these civil rights advances, and their passage spurred the rise of the now-infamous George Wallace, who was governor of Alabama and ran for president twice, appealing to this same fear and anger, getting millions of Americans to vote for him. Not only have African-Americans faced this discrimination in our history, but Asians dealt with terrible threats. Women as they became more empowered have dealt with discrimination. Gays and lesbians and transgender citizens have been victims of hate. My ancestors, the Irish Catholics, faced this, as well as Italians, Germans, Poles, Latinos, Muslims and citizens of many countries of the world have confronted this American story as they came here for a better life. It is a terrible multi-chapter story of American life for many that is still not concluded. Each time a group rises in America that is different than the white-male, Christian-dominated structure, that "different" group has been victimized by those who are losing bits of their monopoly on power. And because of the fear present in those losing the power, instead of responding with openness, many have turned to hate and violence. And this violence can be both actions -- open or silent -- and words. We look for leaders and people in moments like today and yesterday, who hold megaphones, to quell those fears and not exacerbate the hate so they can still claim "their country" as it was. Sometimes we get the thoughtful compassionate leaders who understand a diverse country not only makes us better people, but it makes us stronger and more prosperous. Those people speak to our hopes and don’t demonize someone that might not look like us. These loving leaders see the benefits of an inclusive country and culture, and appeal to people’s better angels, trying to get us through these transitions of change. However, sometimes leaders arise and look to short term advances by appealing to fear and hate, and point at those different, saying they are the problem. As we think back on Charlottesville, we need to understand that we are at one of those critical moments. Today we have a leader in the White House who believes in the short-term gains from fear and appealing to people who don’t like diversity in America. The president not only has equated hateful white racists with people peacefully protesting, but even in his announcement as president he pointed to the scourge of immigration, calling Mexicans "rapists," ripping into women for their looks, trying to push through a Muslim ban and doing everything possible to make anyone who isn’t a white Christian the enemy. This message of folks fighting for the country that looks like them over the last few months has gone from the not so subtle words and policy actions, and has moved into a clear and concise message of racism. Laura Ingraham, a Fox News anchor, on a recent broadcast stated this viewpoint very succinctly when she said, “In some parts of the country, it does seem like the America we know and love doesn’t exist anymore. Massive demographic changes have been foisted upon the American people, and they are changes that none of us ever voted for, and most of us don’t like.” You don’t need Rosetta Stone to translate this: She is saying America is becoming less white, less Christian and, for her and many others she speaks for, that is what they think America is. Venture back in history a bit, and these same words were said about nearly every group that came to America, or who rose to some level of power in America, different than the people in power. It is a sad and hateful part of America. It rose again at Charlottesville and it still is being fought out today. As the great great grandson of an Irish teenager who came here with no money in the midst of the Potato Famine, it is disheartening and disturbing. We will get through this moment as a country, and I am hopeful we will be better off as a country. The vast majority of Americans support immigration and believe that a more diverse and inclusive community is beneficial politically, economically, and morally. I am looking to those leaders to arise, like Heather Heyer at Charlottesville, who pushed back against fear and hate, with hope and love. Hate will not heal us -- only the strength of love and justice can continue to make us a "more perfect union." And we must not be distracted by the momentary gains someone gets for preaching the politics of fear and hate. There is a moral majority in America that will ultimately prevail, as it has throughout our history, though there are awful moments where many suffer. And that moral majority was on Heather’s side in Virginia.<doc-sep>
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A year after a violent white nationalist rally "Unite The Right" left three dead and dozens injured, the city is taking extra safety precautions this weekend ahead of the movement's 2018 rally reboot three hours away in Washington, D.C., Sunday. With the city eerily quiet from the lack of vehicle traffic, a group of around 50 anti-fascist supporters walked through parts of downtown on Saturday – many dressed in black and wearing headbands. Some members, reflecting their protest of white nationalism, carried a large banner reading: "Good Night, White Pride." Charlottesville was both riddled with concrete barriers, metal fences, security checkpoints and adorned with flowers, notes of solidarity and apologies for the violence that unfolded last August when white nationalists bearing torches marched through the University of Virginia campus. Amid heavy police presence on sidewalks and at checkpoints, police confiscated a pair of brass knuckles, a razor, knife and aerosol cans, city officials said. Two people were arrested on misdemeanor charges, one for trespassing and one for disorderly conduct. While the city prepared for the worst, it also took time to honor the memory of Heather Heyer, a 32-year-old legal assistant, who was hit and killed last year when a young Neo-Nazi slammed his car into a crowd of counterprotesters. Two Virginia state troopers also died when their surveillance helicopter crashed near the protests. On Wednesday, a section of 4th Street — where she died — was renamed "Honorary Heather Heyer Way" in her memory. Chalk messages, flowers and other mementos are still being placed at the site. In the window of a nearby shop, a large sign with a hand reads simply: "Strength." It's part of the #joinedinstrength campaign, similar to the one last year which had storefronts display teal hearts with "Cville" written in the middle of them. The Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau said mounted the "Joined in Strength" campaign to demonstrate its opposition to using the city "as a platform for hate again." When the "Unite" rally moved to Washington, the "strength" campaign called for a show of support for the nation's capital through the downloading of posters, prints and "messages of solidarity" like those dotting Charlottesville. Karen Walker, the owner of Hedge Fine Blooms, said she gave out flowers last year. "It was the right thing to do. It was devastating what happened," Walker said. Heyer's favorite color — purple — is everywhere, in the ribbons tied in the trees, in the chalk used to scribble messages on the bricks, and in the shirts many are wearing. Walker, who normally closes her shop on Sunday, said she will remain open this weekend – in solidarity with the rest of this university city of 47,000 that still feels the presence of its favorite son, Thomas Jefferson. "I feel like everyone is in a pretty good place. This is our community," she said. The city, along with parts of Northern Virginia, is under a state of emergency. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said the order was an "administrative tool" to prepare the Virginia National Guard and other security details for any riots that might arise. UVA President James Ryan spoke to a crowd gathered Saturday morning for a service of reflection on the anniversary of the march. He said that those who stood up against the racists showed remarkable “courage and bravery” and that the university must admit its mistakes. "I am sorry. We are sorry," Ryan said, addressing the students and community members who faced off against white nationalists last year and who critics say the university didn't do enough to protect. President Donald Trump also reflected on the clashes, tweeting Saturday morning that he condemns "all types of racism and acts of violence" and calling the riots that ensued last year "senseless death and division." The statement marked a significant difference from last August's reflection on the rally when he told a news conferences: "You had some very bad people in that group, but you also had people that were very fine people, on both sides." More:Trump condemns 'all types of racism' on Charlottesville anniversary; critics slam wording More:GOP lawmaker: Russian meddling stirred racial divisions at fatal Charlottesville rally More:One year after Charlottesville tragedy, Heather Heyer's mom talks about daughter's death More:What is the alt-right? And how is it using social media to spread its message? This year's "Unite The Right" rally is aimed at advocating for "white civil rights."