DOCSLIB.ORG

Independent Review of the 2017 Protest Events in Charlottesville, Virginia

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Independent Review of the 2017 Protest Events in Charlottesville, Virginia FINAL REPORT INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE 2017 PROTEST EVENTS IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA Photo credit: Jill Mumie TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE ...................................................................................................................... ix ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .............................................................................................. xi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................. 1 I. May 13-14 ................................................................................................................ 1 II. July 8 ....................................................................................................................... 2 III. August 11-12 ............................................................................................................ 4 IV. Recommendations .................................................................................................... 7 A. Preparing for Civil Disturbance ........................................................................... 7 B. Effective Management of Protest Events .............................................................. 7 C. Changes in Law .................................................................................................. 8 D. Restoring Faith in Government ........................................................................... 8 METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................... 9 I. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 9 II. Scope of Engagement ............................................................................................... 9 III. Sources of Information ............................................................................................ 10 A. Documents ........................................................................................................ 10 B. Images and Recordings ...................................................................................... 11 C. Witness Interviews ............................................................................................. 11 D. Independent Review Web Site and Tipline ......................................................... 12 IV. Resistance to Cooperation ....................................................................................... 12 A. Charlottesville Police Department ...................................................................... 12 B. State Government .............................................................................................. 14 C. Organizational Responses .................................................................................. 17 D. Community Members ........................................................................................ 18 V. Consultants ............................................................................................................. 19 FACTUAL FINDINGS .................................................................................................. 21 I. Why Charlottesville? ............................................................................................... 21 A. Charlottesville’s City Government and Event Permitting Process ........................ 21 Hunton & Williams LLP | i B. History of the Lee and Jackson Statues ............................................................... 22 C. The First Hint of Controversy ............................................................................ 23 D. Jason Kessler and the Attempted Removal of Wes Bellamy ................................ 23 E. The Capital of the Resistance ............................................................................. 24 F. Charlottesville Moves Forward........................................................................... 24 G. Jason Kessler Meets Richard Spencer ................................................................. 25 II. Initial Events of May 13-14 ...................................................................................... 25 A. May 13 Demonstrations ..................................................................................... 25 1. The Jackson Park Event ............................................................................. 26 2. The Lee Park Event ................................................................................... 27 B. May 14 Counter-Protest ..................................................................................... 28 C. Aftermath .......................................................................................................... 30 D. What Went Right and What Went Wrong .......................................................... 31 III. July 8 Ku Klux Klan Rally ....................................................................................... 31 A. Preparation ........................................................................................................ 31 1. Permit Application, Review, and Approval ................................................. 31 2. Intelligence Gathering ................................................................................ 33 3. Training ..................................................................................................... 35 4. Agency Coordination ................................................................................. 36 a. Charlottesville Fire Department ......................................................... 36 b. Department of Parks and Recreation .................................................. 37 c. Department of Public Works .............................................................. 37 d. Charlottesville Sheriff ......................................................................... 38 e. Legal Advice ...................................................................................... 38 f. Virginia State Police ........................................................................... 38 g. Albemarle County .............................................................................. 39 h. University of Virginia ......................................................................... 40 i. Emergency Communications Center .................................................. 40 B. CPD Operational Plan ....................................................................................... 41 C. Public Communications ..................................................................................... 46 1. Efforts to Discourage Attendance ............................................................... 46 2. Informing the Public .................................................................................. 47 Hunton & Williams LLP | ii D. Events of July 8 ................................................................................................. 48 1. Preparing Justice Park ................................................................................ 48 2. All-Hands Briefing ..................................................................................... 48 3. Opening the Command Center ................................................................... 49 4. The Crowd Gathers ................................................................................... 50 5. March of the Clergy Collective ................................................................... 51 6. Media ........................................................................................................ 52 7. The First Arrests ........................................................................................ 52 8. The Arrival of the Klan .............................................................................. 53 9. The Klan Speaks ........................................................................................ 55 10. The Klan Exits ........................................................................................... 57 11. The Crowd Turns on Law Enforcement ...................................................... 58 12. Deployment of Tear Gas ............................................................................ 59 13. The Crowd Disperses ................................................................................. 61 14. After-Action .............................................................................................. 62 a. Statistics ............................................................................................ 62 b. Community Criticism ........................................................................ 62 c. Evolving Explanations for Deployment of Tear Gas ........................... 63 d. After-Action Meetings, Reports, and Takeaways................................. 64 E. What Went Right and Want Went Wrong .......................................................... 64 1. What Went Right ....................................................................................... 64 a. City Officials Provided Thorough Information to the Community ....... 64 b. Law Enforcement Protected the Free Speech of All Participants .......... 65 c. No Significant Injuries or Property Damage ....................................... 65 2. What Went Wrong .................................................................................... 66 a. Law Enforcement Failed to Operate Within a Unified Command
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Little Nazis KE V I N D
    20170828 subscribers_cover61404-postal.qxd 8/22/2017 3:17 PM Page 1 September 11, 2017 $5.99 TheThe Little Nazis KE V I N D . W I L L I A M S O N O N T H E C HI L D I S H A L T- R I G H T $5.99 37 PLUS KYLE SMITH: The Great Confederate Panic MICHAEL LIND: The Case for Cultural Nationalism 0 73361 08155 1 www.nationalreview.com base_new_milliken-mar 22.qxd 1/3/2017 5:38 PM Page 1 !!!!!!!! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! "e Reagan Ranch Center ! 217 State Street National Headquarters ! 11480 Commerce Park Drive, Santa Barbara, California 93101 ! 888-USA-1776 Sixth Floor ! Reston, Virginia 20191 ! 800-USA-1776 TOC-FINAL_QXP-1127940144.qxp 8/23/2017 2:41 PM Page 1 Contents SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 | VOLUME LXIX, NO. 17 | www.nationalreview.com ON THE COVER Page 22 Lucy Caldwell on Jeff Flake The ‘N’ Word p. 15 Everybody is ten feet tall on the BOOKS, ARTS Internet, and that is why the & MANNERS Internet is where the alt-right really lives, one big online 35 THE DEATH OF FREUD E. Fuller Torrey reviews Freud: group-therapy session The Making of an Illusion, masquerading as a political by Frederick Crews. movement. Kevin D. Williamson 37 ILLUMINATIONS Michael Brendan Dougherty reviews Why Buddhism Is True: The COVER: ROMAN GENN Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment, ARTICLES by Robert Wright. DIVIDED THEY STAND (OR FALL) by Ramesh Ponnuru 38 UNJUST PROSECUTION 12 David Bahnsen reviews The Anti-Trump Republicans are not facing their challenges.
    [Show full text]
  • October 20, 2017
    Distributed Free Each Friday Since 2009 October 20, 2017 www.pcpatriot.com Locally Owned And Operated ELECTION PREVIEW INSIDE Candidates sharply differ on gun issues RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The two major party to be able to carry a concealed candidates in Virginia's race for governor sharply handgun without a permit. disagree when it comes to guns. Earlier this year, Democratic Republican Ed Gillespie has an A rating from the Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoed National Rifle Association. He pledged to "oppose legislation allowing that — any and all attempts to weaken the Second against the wishes of the GOP- Amendment." controlled General assembly. Democrat Ralph Northam said he favors stricter Democrats in the legislature controls on gun ownership. He's backed by former have pushed unsuccessfully for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's group Gillespie universal background checks, as well as by former Democratic Rep. Gabrielle including mandatory checks at Giffords, who was grievously wounded in a 2011 gun shows. shooting. Governors also can take uni- The positions play against type. Northam grew lateral action on guns, like up hunting on Virginia's Eastern Shore and owns McAuliffe did in banning guns two shotguns. from certain state-owned office Gillespie wrote in his 2006 book that he doesn't buildings by executive order. own a gun and recently declined to answer whether Guns on campuses are also a that was still the case. regular and poignant point of discussion due to the 2007 THE ISSUE: mass shooting at Virginia Tech. Northam Debates about guns take up a significant amount Liberty University President WEEKEND WEATHER of time each legislative session and groups on both Jerry Falwell Jr.
    [Show full text]
  • The Changing Face of American White Supremacy Our Mission: to Stop the Defamation of the Jewish People and to Secure Justice and Fair Treatment for All
    A report from the Center on Extremism 09 18 New Hate and Old: The Changing Face of American White Supremacy Our Mission: To stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. ABOUT T H E CENTER ON EXTREMISM The ADL Center on Extremism (COE) is one of the world’s foremost authorities ADL (Anti-Defamation on extremism, terrorism, anti-Semitism and all forms of hate. For decades, League) fights anti-Semitism COE’s staff of seasoned investigators, analysts and researchers have tracked and promotes justice for all. extremist activity and hate in the U.S. and abroad – online and on the ground. The staff, which represent a combined total of substantially more than 100 Join ADL to give a voice to years of experience in this arena, routinely assist law enforcement with those without one and to extremist-related investigations, provide tech companies with critical data protect our civil rights. and expertise, and respond to wide-ranging media requests. Learn more: adl.org As ADL’s research and investigative arm, COE is a clearinghouse of real-time information about extremism and hate of all types. COE staff regularly serve as expert witnesses, provide congressional testimony and speak to national and international conference audiences about the threats posed by extremism and anti-Semitism. You can find the full complement of COE’s research and publications at ADL.org. Cover: White supremacists exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Emancipation Park during the ‘Unite the Right’ rally August 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
    [Show full text]
  • 2018 U.S. Senate Special Election Candidate Questionnaire
    Mississippi Professional Educators: 2018 U.S. Senate Special Election Candidate Questionnaire While MPE does not endorse political candidates, we encourage our members to be actively involved in the political process and to exercise their right to vote. MPE sent this questionnaire to candidates in Mississippi’s special election for U.S. Senate Their responses are below. Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. United States Senate Special Election Mike Espy Cindy Hyde-Smith Chris McDaniel What qualifies you as the best My wife, Portia, and I have been blessed to MPE sent this questionnaire to MPE submitted a request via candidate to serve as United raise three beautiful children in Mississippi. the designated contact on the McDaniel campaign's States Senator? We know that a quality education has placed Cindy Hyde-Smith's campaign online portal on August 8 and each of them on a path to success. My on August 21. We emailed the August 13 for the appropriate experience as a Congressman and Secretary staff member on September 4 staff member's email address of the USDA taught me that education is the and September 25 regarding so we could send the surest way to make our state more the deadline for submitting questionnaire to the campaign. competitive. As a U.S. Senator, I will work, responses, but the campaign We did not receive a response daily, to make sure every Mississippi child did not submit a response to to our inquiries. has access to a quality education. But I will the questionnaire. also remind folks in Washington that education decisions are best left to those on the ground - the parents, teachers, and principals.
    [Show full text]
  • Running in Tim's Name
    Centreville ❖ Clifton ❖ Little Rocky Run SOUTHERN EDITION JUNE 4-10, 2009 "Matter of Justice" 25 CENTS Newsstand Price Volume XXIII, NO. 22 Running in Tim’s Name Annual 5K fund-raising event is June 13. By Bonnie Hobbs flat and fast, beginning and ending in front Centre View of the Government Center and going out to West Ox Road and Monument Drive. here’s still no cure for the hepa- Cost is $21, and participants may regis- titis C that claimed Tim ter at www.racepacket.com, or in person on THarmon’s life in 1999 at age 51. race day, from 7-8:15 a.m. For more infor- But it’s hoped that funds raised mation, call 703-934-8756, e-mail by a 5K race in his honor will help toward [email protected] or see that goal and also educate the public about www.timharmon5k.org. this disease. “Besides the runners, it attracts a mixture The 10th Annual Tim Harmon Memorial of people,” said race director Tom Cook of 5K Run/Walk is Saturday, June 13, at 8:30 Chantilly’s Armfield Farms community. “A a.m., rain or shine, at the Fairfax County Runners take off at last year’s Tim Harmon Memorial 5K Run/Walk. Government Center. The course is mostly See Harmon, Page 7 Four More in Heroin Ring Are Sentenced 30 Days for Gibson 5 Years for Kacvinsky 60 Days for Richter Almost 4 Years By Bonnie Hobbs By Bonnie Hobbs By Bonnie Hobbs For Zuiker Centre View Centre View Centre View By Bonnie Hobbs ayler Gibson’s at- t’s never a good idea acing a potential Centre View Ttorney asked that Ito use drugs while out F two-year stint in she be sentenced on bond, awaiting prison, Centreville’s efore Centreville’s to a year and a day in sentencing for distribution Anna Richter instead re- BKevin Zuiker was prison for selling heroin, of heroin.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effectiveness of Police Accountability Mechanisms and Programs What Works and the Way Ahead
    THE EFFECTIVENESS OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS AND PROGRAMS WHAT WORKS AND THE WAY AHEAD August 2020 DISCLAIMER The authors’ views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States government. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS AND PROGRAMS WHAT WORKS AND THE WAY AHEAD Contract No. AID-OAA-I-13-00032, Task Order No. AID-OAA-TO-14-00041 Cover photo (top left): An Egyptian anti-Mubarak protestor holds up scales of justice in front of riot police. (Credit: Khaled Desouki, Agence France-Presse) Cover photo (top right): Royal Malaysian Police deputy inspector-general looks on as Selangor state police chief points to a journalist during a press conference. (Credit: Mohd Rasfan, Agence France-Presse) Cover photo (bottom left): Indian traffic police officer poses with a body-worn video camera. (Credit: Sam Panthaky, Agence France-Presse) Cover photo (bottom right): Indonesian anti-riot police take position to disperse a mob during an overnight-violent demonstration. (Credit: Bay Ismoyo, Agence France-Presse) DISCLAIMER The authors’ views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States government. CONTENTS Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. ii Acronyms ..................................................................................................................................ii
    [Show full text]
  • The Alt-Right on Campus: What Students Need to Know
    THE ALT-RIGHT ON CAMPUS: WHAT STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW About the Southern Poverty Law Center The Southern Poverty Law Center is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy, the SPLC works toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal oportunity will become a reality. • • • For more information about the southern poverty law center or to obtain additional copies of this guidebook, contact [email protected] or visit www.splconcampus.org @splcenter facebook/SPLCenter facebook/SPLConcampus © 2017 Southern Poverty Law Center THE ALT-RIGHT ON CAMPUS: WHAT STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW RICHARD SPENCER IS A LEADING ALT-RIGHT SPEAKER. The Alt-Right and Extremism on Campus ocratic ideals. They claim that “white identity” is under attack by multicultural forces using “politi- An old and familiar poison is being spread on col- cal correctness” and “social justice” to undermine lege campuses these days: the idea that America white people and “their” civilization. Character- should be a country for white people. ized by heavy use of social media and memes, they Under the banner of the Alternative Right – or eschew establishment conservatism and promote “alt-right” – extremist speakers are touring colleges the goal of a white ethnostate, or homeland. and universities across the country to recruit stu- As student activists, you can counter this movement. dents to their brand of bigotry, often igniting pro- In this brochure, the Southern Poverty Law Cen- tests and making national headlines. Their appear- ances have inspired a fierce debate over free speech ter examines the alt-right, profiles its key figures and the direction of the country.
    [Show full text]
  • Status Threat, Social Concerns, and Conservative Media: a Look at White America and the Alt-Right
    societies Article Status Threat, Social Concerns, and Conservative Media: A Look at White America and the Alt-Right Deena A. Isom 1,* , Hunter M. Boehme 2 , Toniqua C. Mikell 3, Stephen Chicoine 4 and Marion Renner 5 1 Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice and African American Studies Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA 2 Department of Criminal Justice, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA; [email protected] 3 Department of Crime and Justice Studies, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA; [email protected] 4 Bridge Humanities Corp Fellow and Department of Sociology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; [email protected] 5 Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Racial and ethnic division is a mainstay of the American social structure, and today these strains are exacerbated by political binaries. Moreover, the media has become increasingly polarized whereby certain media outlets intensify perceived differences between racial and ethnic groups, political alignments, and religious affiliations. Using data from a recent psychological study of the Alt-Right, we assess the associations between perceptions of social issues, feelings of status threat, trust in conservative media, and affiliation with the Alt-Right among White Americans. We find concern over more conservative social issues along with trust in conservative media explain a large Citation: Isom, D.A.; Boehme, H.M.; portion of the variation in feelings of status threat among White Americans. Furthermore, more Mikell, T.C.; Chicoine, S.; Renner, M.
    [Show full text]
  • FUNDING HATE How White Supremacists Raise Their Money
    How White Supremacists FUNDING HATE Raise Their Money 1 RESPONDING TO HATE FUNDING HATE INTRODUCTION 1 SELF-FUNDING 2 ORGANIZATIONAL FUNDING 3 CRIMINAL ACTIVITY 9 THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: CROWDFUNDING 10 BITCOIN AND CRYPTOCURRENCIES 11 THE FUTURE OF WHITE SUPREMACIST FUNDING 14 2 RESPONDING TO HATE How White Supremacists FUNDING HATE Raise Their Money It’s one of the most frequent questions the Anti-Defamation League gets asked: WHERE DO WHITE SUPREMACISTS GET THEIR MONEY? Implicit in this question is the assumption that white supremacists raise a substantial amount of money, an assumption fueled by rumors and speculation about white supremacist groups being funded by sources such as the Russian government, conservative foundations, or secretive wealthy backers. The reality is less sensational but still important. As American political and social movements go, the white supremacist movement is particularly poorly funded. Small in numbers and containing many adherents of little means, the white supremacist movement has a weak base for raising money compared to many other causes. Moreover, ostracized because of its extreme and hateful ideology, not to mention its connections to violence, the white supremacist movement does not have easy access to many common methods of raising and transmitting money. This lack of access to funds and funds transfers limits what white supremacists can do and achieve. However, the means by which the white supremacist movement does raise money are important to understand. Moreover, recent developments, particularly in crowdfunding, may have provided the white supremacist movement with more fundraising opportunities than it has seen in some time. This raises the disturbing possibility that some white supremacists may become better funded in the future than they have been in the past.
    [Show full text]
  • Viii. the Catch-88 Paradox: “Optics” and Backlashes
    VIII. THE CATCH-88 PARADOX: “OPTICS” AND BACKLASHES 45 The more publicity white supremacists get, the more they make themselves vulnerable to [ exposure, negative coverage, and backlashes. ] hortly after the 2016 presidential election, an want to promote their views however they wish. White excited Richard Spencer told a National Public supremacists are typically reluctant to acknowledge the SRadio correspondent that “This is the first time reality that, regardless of whether accompanied by Nazi we’ve really entered the mainstream, and we’re not going flags or by American flags, hardcore white supremacist away. I mean, this is just the beginning.” ideology is something most Americans reject. Spencer’s dream of a grandly ascendant alt right, however, The alt right experienced both of these Catch-88 dynamics “Optics” and Backlashes The Catch-88 Paradox: soon met with a rather harsher reality in the months in 2017-2018 as it moved past the presidential election, following the election as Spencer and his fellow alt right with significant negative effects on it and on the white adherents encountered a Catch-22 that has long bedeviled supremacist movement as a whole. earlier white supremacists. The paradox—it can be called Catch-88 after the popular white supremacist numeric The Alt Right-Alt Lite Split symbol standing for “Heil Hitler”—is simple: in order to The harsh glare of publicity that bathed the alt right began accomplish their goals, white supremacists have to be creating cracks in the movement as early as the weeks active and attract publicity. However, because explicit white after the election, when the first signs emerged of what has supremacy is quite unpopular in the United States, the more publicity white supremacists get, the more they make become known as the alt right-alt lite split.
    [Show full text]
  • Out of Control Special Seattle’S Flawed Response to Protests Report Against the World Trade Organization
    A Out of Control Special Seattle’s Flawed Response to Protests Report Against the World Trade Organization June 2000 American Civil Liberties Union of Washington 705 Second Ave., Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98104-1799 (206) 624-2184 www.aclu-wa.org Table of Contents Introduction .......................................................................................................... 3 Executive Summary.......................................................................................... 5 Recommendations ............................................................................................. 11 I. BY CREATING A “NO PROTEST ZONE,” THE CITY NEEDLESSLY VIOLATED RIGHTS TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND ASSEMBLY Setting the Stage: Failure to Protect Delegates’ Rights to Assembly.......................... 15 Proper Security Measures: How to Protect Everyone’s Rights ................................... 16 The “No Protest Zone:” A Militarized Zone That Suspended Civil Liberties .......... 18 “No Protest Zone” Not Designed for Security .............................................................. 22 “No Protest Zone” Not Needed to Protect Property.................................................... 22 Ratification Process for Emergency Orders Flawed ..................................................... 23 Failure to Plan.................................................................................................................... 24 Lack of Information Not a Problem ...............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Fringe Insurgency Connectivity, Convergence and Mainstreaming of the Extreme Right
    The Fringe Insurgency Connectivity, Convergence and Mainstreaming of the Extreme Right Jacob Davey Julia Ebner About this paper About the authors This report maps the ecosystem of the burgeoning Jacob Davey is a Researcher and Project Coordinator at ‘new’ extreme right across Europe and the US, which is the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), overseeing the characterised by its international outlook, technological development and delivery of a range of online counter- sophistication, and overtures to groups outside of the extremism initiatives. His research interests include the traditional recruitment pool for the extreme-right. This role of communications technologies in intercommunal movement is marked by its opportunistic pragmatism, conflict, the use of internet culture in information seeing movements which hold seemingly contradictory operations, and the extreme-right globally. He has ideologies share a bed for the sake of achieving provided commentary on the extreme right in a range common goals. It examines points of connectivity of media sources including The Guardian, The New York and collaboration between disparate groups and Times and the BBC. assesses the interplay between different extreme-right movements, key influencers and subcultures both Julia Ebner is a Research Fellow at the Institute for online and offline. Strategic Dialogue (ISD) and author of The Rage: The Vicious Circle of Islamist and Far-Right Extremism. Her research focuses on extreme right-wing mobilisation strategies, cumulative extremism and European terrorism prevention initiatives. She advises policy makers and tech industry leaders, regularly writes for The Guardian and The Independent and provides commentary on broadcast media, including the BBC and CNN. © ISD, 2017 London Washington DC Beirut Toronto This material is offered free of charge for personal and non-commercial use, provided the source is acknowledged.
    [Show full text]