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PHOTOS: Charlottesville preps ahead of white nationalist rally anniversary

WASHINGTON — Although no white nationalist rallies are planned for Charlottesville, Virginia, during the anniversary of last summer’s deadly clashes, the city is still preparing in case disruptions break out.

A number of events pushing back on hate speech are, however, planned.

Photo of a chalk memorial that says 'The Killer Sped this way" — A chalk memorial in Charlottesville, Va., pays tribute to Heather Heyer, a 32-year-old paralegal who was killed in violent clashes after white nationalists converged on the city a year ago today. James Alex Fields Jr. has pleaded not guilty to federal hate crime charges in connection to the car attack that led to Heyer’s death. The city has been bracing for possible disruptions on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, ahead of a major rally planned in Washington, D.C. on Sunday. (WTOP/Max Smith)

Virginia State Police stand guard at the Robert E. Lee statue in Charlottesville, Va., which was blocked off by layers of barricades on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018. A year ago, white supremacists converged on the city, sparking violent clashes that resulted in death of 32-year-old paralegal Heather Heyer. (WTOP/Max Smith)

People are out and about on the Mall though pic.twitter.com/JUfkXwzEkz
— Max Smith (@amaxsmith) August 11, 2018

Musicians perform in the streets of Charlottesville, Va., on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in an effort to advance a counter-message a year after a white nationalists converged on the city, leading to violent clashes in the streets. (WTOP/Max Smith via Twitter) (WTOP/Max Smith)

Photo of a sign taped to a door — Some business in Charlottesville, Va., have vowed to refuse service to white nationalists and had posted signs, such as this one, on their doors on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018. A year ago, white supremacists converged on the city, sparking violent clashes that led to the death of Heather Heyer. (WTOP/Max Smith)

a photo of several police cars at a security check point — Law enforcement seal off a portion of the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, Va., on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, as the city braces for possible disruptions during the anniversary of last summer’s deadly clashes. (WTOP/Max Smith)

A “no trespass” sign warns visitors near the amphitheater for Saturday morning's "The Hope that Summons Us" event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith) — A “no trespass” sign warns visitors near the amphitheater for Saturday morning’s “The Hope that Summons Us” event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith)

A security checkpoint is seen near the amphitheater for Saturday morning's "The Hope that Summons Us" event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith) — A security checkpoint is seen near the amphitheater for Saturday morning’s “The Hope that Summons Us” event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith)

Entrance to the Lawn at the University of Virginia is limited to residents and those who have tickets to the Saturday morning event, "The Hope that Summons Us," in Old Cabell Hall Auditorium. (WTOP/Max Smith) — Entrance to the Lawn at the University of Virginia is limited to residents and those who have tickets to the Saturday morning event, “The Hope that Summons Us,” in Old Cabell Hall Auditorium. (WTOP/Max Smith)

The University of Virginia provided this photo from inside Old Cabell where Saturday morning’s "The Hope that Summons Us" event is taking place. (Courtesy) — The University of Virginia provided this photo from inside Old Cabell where Saturday morning’s “The Hope that Summons Us” event is taking place. (Courtesy)

Heather Heyer’s mother, Susan Bro, arrives at the University of Virginia for Saturday morning’s "The Hope that Summons Us" event. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith) — Heather Heyer’s mother, Susan Bro, arrives at the University of Virginia for Saturday morning’s “The Hope that Summons Us” event. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith)

A sign warning visitors that a sidewalk is closed is seen near the amphitheater for Saturday morning's "The Hope that Summons Us" event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith) — A sign warning visitors that a sidewalk is closed is seen near the amphitheater for Saturday morning’s “The Hope that Summons Us” event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith)

A security checkpoint is seen near the amphitheater for Saturday morning's "The Hope that Summons Us" event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith) — A security checkpoint is seen near the amphitheater for Saturday morning’s “The Hope that Summons Us” event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith)

A sidewalk leading to a security checkpoint is seen near the amphitheater for Saturday morning's "The Hope that Summons Us" event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith) — A sidewalk leading to a security checkpoint is seen near the amphitheater for Saturday morning’s “The Hope that Summons Us” event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith)

A security checkpoint is seen for Saturday morning's "The Hope that Summons Us" event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith) — A security checkpoint is seen for Saturday morning’s “The Hope that Summons Us” event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith)

A guard stands at the rotunda in the University of Virginia in Charlottesville on Friday, Aug. 10, 2018. The area has been fenced off in the wake of the first year since white nationalists circled protesters on campus. (WTOP/Max Smith)

Messages and flowers line Heather Heyer Way in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Friday, Aug. 10, 2018. (WTOP/Max Smith)

The Charlottesville Downtown Mall is turned into a locked-down area only accessible through security checkpoints through the weekend. (WTOP/Max Smith)

At University of Virginia, “no trespass” signs and barricades surround the rotunda ahead of a Saturday morning “reflection and renewal” university event with tight security and planned protests on Grounds. (WTOP/Max Smith) — At U.Va. in Charlottesville, “no trespass” signs and barricades surround the rotunda ahead of a Saturday morning “reflection and renewal” university event with tight security and planned protests on the grounds. (WTOP/Max Smith)

At UVa., “no trespass” signs and barricades surround the rotunda ahead of a Saturday morning “reflection and renewal” university event with tight security and planned protests on Grounds. (WTOP/Max Smith) — At U.Va. in Charlottesville, “no trespass” signs and barricades surround the rotunda ahead of a Saturday morning “reflection and renewal” university event with tight security and planned protests on the grounds. (WTOP/Max Smith)

A heavy police presence is due to expand Friday night as streets near the Downtown Mall are closed. (WTOP/Max Smith)

The Stonewall Jackson monument is barricaded off. (WTOP/Max Smith)

The Stonewall Jackson statue near the courthouse in Charlottesville is barricaded. (WTOP/Max Smith)

Mesh fencing was placed around the statue of Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville. (WTOP/Max Smith)

"No parking" signs dot Charlottesville. (WTOP/Max Smith) — “No parking” signs dot Charlottesville. (WTOP/Max Smith)

There is a heavy police presence in Charlottesville. (WTOP/Max Smith)

Charlottesville is preparing for the anniversary of last summer's deadly white nationalist rally. (WTOP/Max Smith) — Charlottesville is preparing for the anniversary of last summer’s deadly white nationalist rally. (WTOP/Max Smith)

Barriers are set up to turn the downtown mall in Charlottesville into a locked down area. (WTOP/Max Smith)

Barriers are set up to turn the downtown mall in Charlottesville into a locked down area. (WTOP/Max Smith)

Part of market street is dedicated to 32-year-old Heather Heyer, who was killed when a car plowed into a crowd of protesters in last August's white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. (WTOP/Max Smith) — Part of market street is dedicated to 32-year-old Heather Heyer, who was killed when a car plowed into a crowd of protesters in last August’s white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. (WTOP/Max Smith)

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Photo of a chalk memorial that says 'The Killer Sped this way"

Virginia State Police stand guard at the Robert E. Lee statue in Charlottesville, Va., which was blocked off by layers of barricades on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018. A year ago, white supremacists converged on the city, sparking violent clashes that resulted in death of 32-year-old paralegal Heather Heyer. (WTOP/Max Smith)

Photo of a sign taped to a door

a photo of several police cars at a security check point

A “no trespass” sign warns visitors near the amphitheater for Saturday morning's "The Hope that Summons Us" event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith)

A security checkpoint is seen near the amphitheater for Saturday morning's "The Hope that Summons Us" event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith)

Entrance to the Lawn at the University of Virginia is limited to residents and those who have tickets to the Saturday morning event, "The Hope that Summons Us," in Old Cabell Hall Auditorium. (WTOP/Max Smith)

The University of Virginia provided this photo from inside Old Cabell where Saturday morning’s "The Hope that Summons Us" event is taking place. (Courtesy)

Heather Heyer’s mother, Susan Bro, arrives at the University of Virginia for Saturday morning’s "The Hope that Summons Us" event. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith)

A sign warning visitors that a sidewalk is closed is seen near the amphitheater for Saturday morning's "The Hope that Summons Us" event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith)

A security checkpoint is seen near the amphitheater for Saturday morning's "The Hope that Summons Us" event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith)

A sidewalk leading to a security checkpoint is seen near the amphitheater for Saturday morning's "The Hope that Summons Us" event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith)

A security checkpoint is seen for Saturday morning's "The Hope that Summons Us" event at the University of Virginia. It comes one year after white supremacists marched through the Grounds with tiki torches, and a day before anniversary of Heather Heyer’s death. (WTOP/Max Smith)

A guard stands at the rotunda in the University of Virginia in Charlottesville on Friday, Aug. 10, 2018. The area has been fenced off in the wake of the first year since white nationalists circled protesters on campus. (WTOP/Max Smith)

Messages and flowers line Heather Heyer Way in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Friday, Aug. 10, 2018. (WTOP/Max Smith)

The Charlottesville Downtown Mall is turned into a locked-down area only accessible through security checkpoints through the weekend. (WTOP/Max Smith)

At University of Virginia, “no trespass” signs and barricades surround the rotunda ahead of a Saturday morning “reflection and renewal” university event with tight security and planned protests on Grounds. (WTOP/Max Smith)

At UVa., “no trespass” signs and barricades surround the rotunda ahead of a Saturday morning “reflection and renewal” university event with tight security and planned protests on Grounds. (WTOP/Max Smith)

A heavy police presence is due to expand Friday night as streets near the Downtown Mall are closed. (WTOP/Max Smith)

The Stonewall Jackson monument is barricaded off. (WTOP/Max Smith)

The Stonewall Jackson statue near the courthouse in Charlottesville is barricaded. (WTOP/Max Smith)

Mesh fencing was placed around the statue of Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville. (WTOP/Max Smith)

"No parking" signs dot Charlottesville. (WTOP/Max Smith)

There is a heavy police presence in Charlottesville. (WTOP/Max Smith)

Charlottesville is preparing for the anniversary of last summer's deadly white nationalist rally. (WTOP/Max Smith)

Barriers are set up to turn the downtown mall in Charlottesville into a locked down area. (WTOP/Max Smith)

Part of market street is dedicated to 32-year-old Heather Heyer, who was killed when a car plowed into a crowd of protesters in last August's white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. (WTOP/Max Smith)

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