What a difference a year makes. On the anniversary of the violent clashes between the alt-right white nationalist and counter protesters in Charlottesville that left one woman, Heather Heyer, dead, the Donald Trump loving Neo Nazi's seemed to be losing their momentum. Either that, or they are simply scared.
After much fan fair and hype, the alt-right rally fizzled and limped to a sad close after only gathering a couple dozen supporters on Sunday in Washington D.C. Jason Kessler and small number of his followers wearing Make America Great Again hats were vastly outnumbered by counter-protesters chanting "Nazi's Go Home" and "Heather's Not Forgotten."
Kessler, the white supremacist who organized last years Charlottesville march and this one, thought the low numbers were because of confusion over logistics and transportation, but one unidentified man who spoke with CNN clarified by saying:
People are scared to come out after what happened last year.
With a strong media presence covering the event, and footage taken from citizens there was amble video posted on social media. In much of the video it appears police needed to act as a protective barrier between the large number of protesters and the small number of alt-right marchers.
Kessler entering metro https://t.co/mc3NfnlkXA— Ford Fischer (@Ford Fischer) 1534097261.0
Jason Kessler is the organizer of this year’s #UnitetheRight2 rally in DC,and last year’s #UniteTheRight in… https://t.co/r1lZpNk4Fy— Maya Shwayder (@Maya Shwayder) 1534098080.0
Kessler's every move was tracked.
TO SUMMARIZE - Jason Kessler just told us: 1) He’s NOT racist 2) He’s NOT responsible for Heather Heyer’s death 3)… https://t.co/k7MBx8KfGC— Mike Valerio (@Mike Valerio) 1534098745.0
He was met with loud protests and chants everywhere he went.
"Behind the police there is a small number, maybe a dozen, maybe 20 of the white supremacist ralliers. Many of them… https://t.co/FhdpdoZDLq— CBS News (@CBS News) 1534102190.0
Counter protesters chant as white nationalists arrive at the Unite the Right rally in DC @wusa9 #UniteTheRight2 https://t.co/3iq4PEoDQw— Michael Quander (@Michael Quander) 1534102760.0
Then there’s this guy yelling at an officer for allowing white nationalists a permit to hold #UniteTheRight2 in DC https://t.co/YVf1mTDhDs— Christal Hayes (@Christal Hayes) 1534101913.0
“Heather is not forgotten.” - Counter-protesters #HeatherHeyer #DCAgainstHate https://t.co/YwWvoQRDne— Anna-Lysa Gayle (@Anna-Lysa Gayle) 1534103587.0
Big counterprotest contingent marching along Lafayette Park: “Whose streets? Our streets!” https://t.co/WmafSaWFBJ— Blake Montgomery (@Blake Montgomery) 1534103942.0
By the time the rally happened it was lackluster showing.
Jason Kessler is now giving his speech, which he began by admitting his rally is a flop https://t.co/lL0p41Wj5U— caleb ecarma (@caleb ecarma) 1534104537.0
Apparently the Nazi's and the White Supremacist are fighting among themselves.
aside from logistic fuck ups, Kessler says his rally got messed up because of alt-right infighting and white suprem… https://t.co/1v68ZnDcj4— caleb ecarma (@caleb ecarma) 1534104753.0
Here’s what it looks like at Lafayette Park from the white nationalists’ vantage. https://t.co/0jJnapG8Zr— Matt Ford (@Matt Ford) 1534106826.0
Many folks were getting a kick out of the low turn-out and the public shaming.
@AndreaMcCarren @wusa9 I love the whole shame thing. I just wish they wouldn’t use the flag. It’s not just theirs.… https://t.co/WpCM5anBHd— Laura (@Laura) 1534107974.0
@AndreaMcCarren @wusa9 I love the whole shame thing. I just wish they wouldn’t use the flag. It’s not just theirs.… https://t.co/WpCM5anBHd— Laura (@Laura) 1534107974.0
When the rally ended cheers could be heard from the crowd.
[Happening Now] Protesters celebrating after hearing that the Unite the Right rally has ended. https://t.co/lLZkPVtjYP— Anna-Lysa Gayle (@Anna-Lysa Gayle) 1534108680.0
Let's hope we don't hear anymore from Kessler for a long time, or ever.
H/T: NY Times, Washington Post