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Suarez writes: "Charlottesville Police Chief RaShall Brackney says the city is preparing for the worst even if it prevails in federal court and is able to deny a permit for another rally in Emancipation Park on Aug. 12."

Anti-racist protesters were mowed down by a vehicle driven by James Alex Fields Jr. during a white supremacy rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. (photo: Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress)
Anti-racist protesters were mowed down by a vehicle driven by James Alex Fields Jr. during a white supremacy rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. (photo: Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress)


Charlottesville Warns of 'Worst-Case Scenario' Ahead of Riot Anniversary

By Chris Suarez, The Daily Progress

14 July 18

 

harlottesville Police Chief RaShall Brackney says the city is preparing for the worst even if it prevails in federal court and is able to deny a permit for another rally in Emancipation Park on Aug. 12.

“We know that someone, regardless, is going to use this as an opportunity for their national platform to be heard,” Brackney said. “I don’t care when any judge makes any decision about [rally organizer Jason Kessler.] … And shame on us if we don’t plan for whomever might show up.”

Appearing at a public forum Thursday night at Mount Zion First African Baptist Church, local and state officials — some of whom were involved in the public safety operations for last summer’s violent white supremacist rally — said they have spent nearly a year preparing for what could happen during the anniversary weekend.

The event began with officials from the Albemarle County Police Department, Virginia State Police, the University of Virginia and Charlottesville, including Brackney, Assistant City Manager Mike Murphy and Fire Chief Andrew Baxter.

The officials revealed very little about the details of the plan or the work that has gone into it, but Brackney said the city will be closing streets and restricting parking downtown through the weekend.

“I can’t share details. But there will be some changes to the community,” she said regarding temporary traffic changes that will be publicized in advance.

Murphy said the city has adopted new event and park regulations, including prohibitions on items that can be weaponized. He also said the city has largely succeeded in suing almost two dozen militia-like groups and individuals that were alleged to have participated in illegal paramilitary activity.

As of Thursday, nearly all of the defendants have signed agreements saying they will not return to Charlottesville in a similar fashion.

“That doesn’t mean that any of those folks, as individuals, cannot return,” Murphy said.

He also said that the General Assembly earlier this year did not approve legislation that would have allowed the city to ban firearms in certain public spaces.

Virginia State Police Capt. Craig Worsham said state troopers have been training and planning with local officials for the anniversary.

“The Virginia State Police will be very present that weekend, as well as the week leading up to it,” he said. “You will see a lot of state troopers through the region.”

An independent report the city commissioned after last year’s event found that state police had their own operational plan for the rally, which created coordination problems for local and state authorities when the event descended into chaos before it could start.

After Thursday’s public meeting, Worsham said state police will be operating under a single plan with local and regional authorities.

“There is only going to be one plan,” Worsham said. “Anything else we would work from would be some kind of administrative document rather than an operational plan.”

About two hours after authorities declared the Unite the Right rally to be an unlawful assembly and cleared the park, a car was driven into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing Heather Heyer and injuring dozens.

Later that evening, Virginia State Police Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates and Lt. H. Jay Cullen died when the helicopter they were flying to monitor the event earlier in the day crashed in Albemarle County.

“We’ve built a structure and have focused our training and planning to make sure we have a single, unified action plan,” Baxter said. “And we’re coordinated regionally so that we can pivot ... should something happen somewhere other than downtown in the city.”

Several speakers during Thursday’s forum said they are concerned about what could happen next month, and are worried that the city may not be forthcoming with information ahead of the event.

Murphy said the city is committed to improved public communications and intends to hold additional public forums before Aug. 12.

A few others said they don’t trust the police and that residents could take to defending themselves if necessary.

Andrea Tucker, a local medical professional, asked what the public should expect of the weekend.

“I want to know whether I should batten down the hatches — or if I should not live my life,” she said.

“We are doing everything we can to keep people and our folks safe. But as I said, there might be a moment when we say, ‘the safest thing you can do is not be downtown,’” Baxter said.

“If you choose to because you’re passionate about exercising your constitutional rights ... understand that you’ll be assuming a degree of risk.”


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