Protesters gather for Charlottesville one year anniversary

According to a report from Fox News hundreds of people gathered in Charlottesville today on the one-year anniversary of tragic white nationalist protests.
Protesters and police officers clashed on the street where 32-year-old Heather Heyer was killed a year ago during the violent Charlottesville demonstrations between the white nationalists and counter protesters. A memorial also sits on the street, which has been renamed in honor of Heyer.
The report states the demonstrators, who gathered in Washington Park earlier in the morning, marched to “Heather Heyer Way” about a mile away. Some marched while linking arms. Chants such as “Old Jim Crow, new Jim Crow, this racist system has got to go” and "cops and Klan go hand in hand" were heard from the group.
For the safety of both parties the streets were littered with extra police and security to prevent another incident such as what took place last year.
In Washington, D.C., counter protesters gathered in Lafayette park across the street from the White House ahead of the “white civil rights rally," a demonstration by the white nationalists.
The event was organized by Jason Kessler, the principal leader of last year’s “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville that drew hundreds of white nationalists to protest the city’s decision to remove a monument to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from a park.
Fox News reports the events of last year’s protests in which two police officers were killed as well as Heyer.
Some leading figures in the U.S. white nationalist movement encouraged supporter to stay away from the rally.
Like last year, the “white civil rights rally” drew several counter protests throughout the city. The National Park Service issued permits for events by DC United Against Hate, New York Black Lives Matter and other groups.
President Trump marked the anniversary earlier Saturday, saying in a tweet: "The riots in Charlottesville a year ago resulted in senseless death and division. We must come together as a nation. I condemn all types of racism and acts of violence. Peace to ALL Americans!"
Demonstrations began on Saturday in Charlottesville where more than 200 protesters, including students and anti-fascists, took to the streets amid heavy police presence. The high security incited anger in many protesters who questioned why they were surrounded by police in riot gear compared to last year’s events.
"Why are you in riot gear? We don't see no riot here," activists chanted Saturday evening.

Information provided by Fox News.Fox News' Jenny Buchholz and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The Gayly. 8/12/2018 @ 4:19 p.m.