Right Wing Demonstrators Outnumbered by Counterprotesters for Unite the Right 2 Rally

40 activist groups organized demonstrations in DC to protest the second unite the Right Rally/ Photo by: Dana Nickel and Tisha Herrera_Fourth Estate

On the anniversary of the infamous Aug. 12, 2017 rally in Charlottesville that left one dead, hundreds of counterprotesters gathered around Foggy Bottom-GWU Station and prepared to march to Lafayette Square. They expected the arrival of 400 self-proclaimed Neo-Nazis and other demonstrators, popularly known collectively as the alt-right movement. Though the number of alt-right supporters was actually closer to 20, it did not denture the palpable surge of anger from counterprotesters.

Counterprotesters from several organizations lined the streets, holding signs and yelling insults at the alt-right members. Only two alt-right supporters could be seen, one male and one female, and were heavily guarded by police. The two declined to comment.

The small group of counterprotesters, who had been in Lafayette Square for hours already when the rally began, listened as speakers were placed on a portable stage, and condemned the impending Unite the Right 2 rally that was scheduled at 5:30 p.m. in the same spot they all had gathered.

A representative from the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) Coalition, who declined to give their name, passed out flyers promoting their group’s “anti-hate” message and commented on the importance for people to attend similar demonstrations, “not just today, but every day.”

The representative stated that they were currently a college student and stressed how important it was for young people to engage both their communities and in the government.

Before the scheduled rally of alt-right supporters, there was a large crowd of counterprotesters outside the White House.

Gabriel Tello Salas, the cultural chair from the Hispanic Student Association at Mason, was among the crowd of counterprotesters as he demonstrated with other Mason Latino organizations in opposition of the alt-right supporters. Tello Salas stated his reason for being at the counterprotest was “for support—I’m completely against what the [Unite the Right 2] rally stands for.”

“The millennials’ generation still gets talked down to because we’re young,” Tello Salas said. He adds that millennials are treated like “we don’t have an opinion,” but if they do, “[we] have bad opinions, or our opinions are too much or something.”

He stated that students can make a difference at Mason by “getting involved on campus and advocating for the minority communities—giving back to communities and getting involved in marginalized communities that are being attacked,” but emphasized that “the first place to start [advocating] is at Mason.”

A group of three student protesters from Antifa, a conglomerate of anti-fascist militant groups, drove from Connecticut and spoke about their views of what they hoped to accomplish at the Unite the Right 2 rally.

The Antifa protesters— Victor, Jess, and a third who declined to give his name— attended the counterprotest, as Victor put it, “to stomp out white supremacy.” The three noted how symbolic and powerful it was that counterprotesters were all able to attend the rally in unity in front of the White House.

The protesters also noted the importance for people of all ages to “educate [themselves] on the topics [in the news],” and “to be aware of what’s happening and speak out against hateful speech, speak out against hateful groups that are trying to gain a foothold in the public’s view.”

The unnamed male added that “it’s important to actively reject the hate that’s coming at [minorities] right now,” and for Mason students to not forget that “you have a voice—you’re important, so speak up.”

Lafayette Square is often the site of protests and rallies, either in support of or in opposition to the current federal administration. Amitzah, a 61-year-old woman who donned a homemade shirt which read “I love Trump Reelect President 2020 [sic], ” told Fourth Estate that she sits on a bench facing the White House in Lafayette Square every morning to show President Trump that she supports him.

Amitzah stated that she supports the president, and opposes Muslims entering or residing in the U.S. as she “was a victim of a Muslim” from her former husband. She declined to give any further comments.

Though she declined to give her last name, Amitzah was vocal about her beliefs that Trump had done a good job in his presidency thus far, “no matter what many people may believe.”

Amitzah was in the minority opinion that day. Only about 20 alt-right members came to D.C. in support of their rally, though it was originally scheduled for 400 attendees. The counterprotest had an estimated 1,000 protesters in attendance.

Tisha Herrera | News Editor

Dana Nichel | Longform Editor