JASON KESSLER, THE organiser of the “Unite the Right” white nationalist rally that turned deadly on Saturday, called a press conference yesterday afternoon to address the previous day’s events, but was quickly chased off by protesters.
Kessler had called the press conference for 2pm local time (7pm Irish time) behind the Charlottesville City Hall along with Richard Spencer and other participants of Saturday’s rally, but was greeted by raucous boos and cries of “shame” as he arrived at the microphone.
Kessler said a few “people resort[ed] to violence yesterday” before protesters began shouting over him.
Multiple news outlets, protesters, and bystanders caught the moment on video:
Massive boos and cries of "Shame!" For Jason Kessler in Charlottesville pic.twitter.com/tDhhPvY9fy
— Blake Montgomery (@blakersdozen) August 13, 2017
“Indict for murder now,” one protester can be heard yelling. “He invited these people.”
The protester was likely referring to the scores of white nationalists who arrived to rally in Charlottesville in response to the city’s plans to remove a confederate statue honoring General Robert E Lee.
“Get the fuck out of here,” another protester is heard yelling in the background.
Saturday’s rally took a deadly turn as white nationalists clashed with counter-protesters, ultimately resulting in the death of 32-year-old Heather Heyer when apparent white supremacist James Fields rammed his car into a crowd of demonstrators.
Two members of the Virginia State Police force were also killed in a helicopter crash outside Charlottesville as they were monitoring the protests.
The police told reporters on Saturday evening that they were holding Fields on suspicion of second-degree murder, three counts of malicious wounding, and one hit-and-run count. Fields’ bond hearing is scheduled for this morning.
Protesters quickly turned rowdy during the press conference. As Kessler attempted to leave, one protester appeared to try to punch Kessler before being restrained, according to video footage. Kessler is then seen ducking through bushes and trees in an attempt to safely leave the area, all while being followed by protesters.
At one point, Kessler had to be escorted by a member of law enforcement, who can be heard saying to him, “come with me, come on,” while ushering the man away.
Jason Kessler, white supremacist who organized #Charlottesville rally, was just literally chased out of town.pic.twitter.com/EhAySdmOlU
— Rogue CPI (@RogueCPI) August 13, 2017
As Kessler was leaving, a protester can be heard shouting, “Her name was Heather, sir,” referring to Heyer, the woman who died on Saturday. “Her name was Heather, Jason. Her blood is on your hands.”
Another protester can be heard saying, “Jason, what do you have to say for yourself? What did you try to tell the president?”
In a statement released prior to the press conference, Kessler blamed law enforcement for Saturday’s events.
President Donald Trump addressed the violence in Charlottesville on Saturday but drew sharp criticism for not singling out the white nationalists.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry, and violence on many sides,” Trump said at a press conference. “On many sides.”
He added: “It’s been going on for a long, long time in our country. Not Donald Trump. Not Barack Obama. It’s been going on for a long, long time.”
The FBI announced late Saturday evening it would open a civil rights investigation into the circumstances around “the deadly vehicular incident,” ABC News reported.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say