Virginia declares state of emergency before Charlottesville rally anniversary

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Officials said the declaration streamlines state and local operations during the one-year mark of the violent event

Associated Press
Wed 8 Aug 2018 16.02 EDT

Virginia governor Ralph Northam and the city of Charlottesville on Wednesday declared a state of emergency ahead of the one-year anniversary of a violent white nationalist rally that left one person dead and dozens of others injured.

Officials said the declaration would streamline state and local operations this weekend while also allocating $2m in state funds. The declaration authorizes the Virginia national guard to assist in security efforts.

Law enforcement officials said there will be a heavy police presence to deter any violence.

Virginia state police superintendent Gary Settle said more than 700 state police will be activated during the weekend and “state police is fully prepared to act” to prevent any incidents like last year.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/08/charlottesville-rally-anniversary-virginia-state-of-emergency

[Fred Sanders]

1. Charlottesville's current and first female black mayor, Nikuyah Walker, not mentioned in the header:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/07/charlottesville-virginia-nikuyah-walker-interview

Her campaign slogan?

"When you started your campaign early last year, did you expect to win?

I thought I would spend a year at least making the debates interesting, but I did not think that people would vote. I came out with my campaign slogan, “Unmasking the illusion”, in March 2017. My campaign colors were red, black, and green. I ran my entire campaign myself until August."

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

2. But there are good people on both sides - Donald J Trump

[workinclasszero]

3. I hope this time the cops don't stand around and watch

anti fascist counter protesters being attacked, beaten, killed by the kkk/Nazis!

[lark]

5. Exactly! The police were a big part of the problem in Charlottesville, clearly favored the Nazis.

Let them run amok, beating up folks while the police looked on and did nothing, until things escalated, someone got killed, and only at that time did the police start doing their job.

[workinclasszero]

6. Totally

Some outfit made a video during the white riot in Cville. The cops just stood there and did nothing.

It’s sickening.

[appalachiablue]

4. K & R. Today, Newweek, 'State of Emergency Declared for Charlottesville'

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency Wednesday for Charlottesville, Virginia, in preparation for the one-year anniversary of last year’s deadly white nationalist Unite the Right rally that left three dead and dozens injured. The state of emergency will last from Wednesday through the rally's anniversary Sunday.

Northam said because of anniversary events, rallies, and protests planned in Charlottesville and in nearby Washington, D.C., he ordered a state of emergency to "prepare and coordinate our response to ensure the protection of residents’ lives, property, and Constitutional rights.” “I am urging Virginians to make alternative plans to engaging with planned demonstrations of hate, should those arise,” Northam said in a statement. “Virginia continues to mourn the three Virginians who lost their lives in the course of the demonstrations a year ago. We hope the anniversary of those events passes peacefully.”
The emergency declaration allocates $2 million to pay for the response and security provided by the Virginia State Police, Virginia National Guard and other state agencies that will be sent to Charlottesville and Northern Virginia, according to the governor’s statement.

Local governments and businesses have already started preparing for a second Unite the Right rally planned for Sunday in Washington by many of the same white nationalist groups who attended last year’s rally. Metro officials said last week they were considering putting white nationalists on separate trains in an attempt to minimize conflict...More...
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/state-of-emergency-declared-for-charlottesville/ar-BBLFR8y?li=BBnbfcL

Activists from over 35 states came to the 2017 Unite the Right rally. This yrs. event must will be controlled very closely.

[Oneironaut]

7. Last year was an embarrassment and possibly criminal.

I wouldn’t doubt that the city had a “just let em rip each other apart” attitude. That’s not what we do in America. This crap about people showing up with helmets, weapons, and shields needs to stop - it’s ridiculous!

The counter-protesters at least should remain peaceful. Wear nice clothes, don’t bring weapons or shields - bring signs instead. Let the Fascists be the belligerents.

If you haven’t noticed what the Fascists’ tactic is lately, it’s to provoke a counter-protester response against them so that the police crack down on the counter-protest. Don’t be sucked into it. Let them humiliate themselves, and shout them down! Don’t play their game.