There was a confrontation late Friday ahead of the main rally when protesters and a smaller group of counter protesters came together on the University of Virginia campus. One group, Congregate Charlottesville, has called for 1,000 faith leaders, and “white clergy, especially”, to assemble for a nonviolent protest. 'Young white guys are hopping mad': confidence grows at far-right gathering Read moreIn response, last May, Richard Spencer led a torchlit white nationalist parade around the park. The Charlottesville mayor, Michael Signer, and the University of Virginia president, Teresa Sullivan, each issued statements urging people to avoid the rally. Around the city starting on Thursday evening, flyers appeared bearing the slogan “Diversity is a code word for white genocide”, a common white nationalist trope.

Source: The Guardian August 12, 2017 10:00 UTC