A number of neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups were present in that August 2017 rally and it led to the death of one counter-protester, Heather Heyer, as well as two state troopers who died in a helicopter crash as they were headed to Charlottesville.Jason Kessler, the organizer of both this and last year's Unite the Right rally, started his remarks in D.C. by saying "I'm not doing this to disrespect the memory of the people who were hurt or died last year. “Justice for Heather!”

“This is my community, and I think it’s important, when Nazis come to town, you have to show them they’re not welcome,” said Bridget Todd, a 33-year-old African American woman from D.C., and one of the hosts of the “Stuff Mom Never Told You” podcast.
Around twenty white nationalists hold a protest march in Washington, D.C. on the first anniversary of the Unite the Right rally, with thousands of counter-protesters.