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PHOTOS: White nationalist, counterprotester events in DC area

WTOP Staff

August 12, 2018, 10:19 AM

WASHINGTON — Participants in Sunday’s “Unite the Right 2” rally descended upon D.C., a year after white nationalists held a similar event in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which a counterprotester was killed.

The rally was scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Lafayette Square, but participants arrived hours earlier.

Counterprotesters had events planned for the day, including around Farragut Square and McPherson Square. They planned to march from Freedom Plaza to Lafayette Square.

Here are photos of the rally, protests and events around the D.C. area Sunday.

Kessler marches with supporters and police escorts toward Layafatte Square. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Kessler marches with supporters and police escorts toward Layafatte Square. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Courtesy Wilson Dizard
WTOP/Max Smith & some video courtesy AP (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
D.C. police stop a counterprotester who rushed toward the white nationalists marching to Lafayette Square. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
D.C. police stop a counterprotester who rushed toward the white nationalists marching to Lafayette Square. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Courtesy Wilson Dizard
D.C. police stop a man who rushed toward the white nationalists marching to Lafayette Square. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
D.C. police stop a man who rushed toward the white nationalists marching to Lafayette Square. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Courtesy Wilson Dizard
White nationalists march toward Lafayette Square in Downtown D.C. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
White nationalists march toward Lafayette Square in Downtown D.C. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Courtesy Wilson Dizard
Kessler marches with supporters and police escorts toward Layafatte Square. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Kessler marches with supporters and police escorts toward Layafatte Square. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Courtesy Wilson Dizard
Eggs and water bottles fly as a small group of “Unite the Right” protesters began to leave the area. They were temporarily blocked by counterprotesters. (WTOP/ Max Smith)
Eggs and water bottles fly as a small group of “Unite the Right” protesters began to leave the area. They were temporarily blocked by counterprotesters. (WTOP/ Max Smith)
WTOP/ Max Smith
Eggs and water bottles fly as a small group of “Unite the Right” protesters began to leave the area. They were temporarily blocked by counterprotesters. (WTOP/ Max Smith)
Eggs and water bottles fly as a small group of “Unite the Right” protesters began to leave the area. They were temporarily blocked by counterprotesters. (WTOP/ Max Smith)
WTOP/ Max Smith
Counterprotesters demonstrate in Lafayette Square as rain falls Sunday during the Unite The Right protests. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
Counterprotesters demonstrate in Lafayette Square as rain falls Sunday during the Unite The Right protests. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
WTOP/Keara Dowd
Huge crowds gather for the ANSWER Coalition protest Sunday at Lafayette Park. ( WTOP/Melissa Howell)
Huge crowds gather for the ANSWER Coalition protest Sunday at Lafayette Park. ( WTOP/Melissa Howell)
WTOP/Melissa Howell
Huge crowds gather for the ANSWER Coalition protest Sunday at Lafayette Park. ( WTOP/Melissa Howell)
Huge crowds gather for the ANSWER Coalition protest Sunday at Lafayette Park. ( WTOP/Melissa Howell)
WTOP/Melissa Howell
Huge crowds gather for the ANSWER Coalition protest Sunday at Lafayette Park. ( WTOP/Melissa Howell)
Huge crowds gather for the ANSWER Coalition protest Sunday at Lafayette Park. ( WTOP/Melissa Howell)
WTOP/Melissa Howell
Huge crowds gather for the ANSWER Coalition protest Sunday at Lafayette Park. ( WTOP/Melissa Howell)
Huge crowds gather for the ANSWER Coalition protest Sunday at Lafayette Park. ( WTOP/Melissa Howell)
WTOP/Melissa Howell
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. The protesters are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. The protesters are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. The protesters are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. The protesters are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. The protesters are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. The protesters are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. The protesters are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. The protesters are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
Anti-Fascists demonstrating on Pennsylvania Avenue during Sunday's "Unite the Right 2" rally and counterrallies. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Far-left anti-fascist groups demonstrating on Pennsylvania Avenue during Sunday’s “Unite the Right 2” rally and counterrallies. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Courtesy Wilson Dizard
A counterprotester holds a sign reading "I ain't afraid of no ghosts" during the "Unite the Right 2" in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
A counterprotester holds a sign reading “I ain’t afraid of no ghosts” during the “Unite the Right 2” in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Courtesy Wilson Dizard
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. The protesters are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. The protesters are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters near the White House. They are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters near the White House. They are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
White nationalist Jason Kessler arrives at the Vienna metro station in Vienna, Va., Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018. White nationalists are gathering there to travel to Washington on the first anniversary of their rally in Charlottesville. (AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz)
AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz
White nationalist Jason Kessler arrives at the Vienna metro station in Vienna, Va., Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018. White nationalists are gathering in Washington on the first anniversary of their rally in Charlottesville. (AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz)
AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz
Groups protest in Freedom Plaza with the U.S. Capitol in the background, on the one year anniversary of Charlottesville’s “Unite the Right” rally, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters near the White House. They are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters near the White House. They are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters near the White House. They are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters near the White House. They are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. They are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. They are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. They are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. They are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
Counterprotesters are walking in front of the group of Unite The Right 2 protesters. There are lots of D.C. Police present. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters are walking in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. There are lots of D.C. Police present. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
Counterprotesters waiting in Lafayette Square for Unite the Right 2 protesters marching from the Foggy Bottom Metro station. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
Counterprotesters waiting in Lafayette Square for Unite the Right 2 protesters marching from the Foggy Bottom Metro station. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
WTOP/Keara Dowd
Outside the Foggy Bottom Metro station, a large group of media, counterprotesters and police greet Unite The Right 2 rally participants. (WTOP/ Max Smith)
Outside the Foggy Bottom Metro station, a large group of media, counterprotesters and police greet Unite The Right 2 rally participants. (WTOP/ Max Smith)
WTOP/ Max Smith
Outside the Foggy Bottom Metro station, a large group of media, counterprotesters and police greet Unite The Right 2 rally participants. (WTOP/ Max Smith)
Outside the Foggy Bottom Metro station, a large group of media, counterprotesters and police greet Unite The Right 2 rally participants. (WTOP/ Max Smith)
WTOP/ Max Smith
Outside the Foggy Bottom Metro station, a large group of media, counterprotesters and police greet Unite The Right 2 rally participants. (WTOP/ Max Smith)
Outside the Foggy Bottom Metro station, chalked sidewalks with anti-hate messages greet Unite The Right 2 rally participants. (WTOP/ Max Smith)
WTOP/ Max Smith
Police presence at Foggy Bottom Metro. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Police presence at Foggy Bottom Metro. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Courtesy Wilson Dizard
Protesters gathering at Foggy Bottom Metro. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Protesters gathering at Foggy Bottom Metro. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Courtesy Wilson Dizard
Counter protesters at Freedom Plaza at about 2 p.m. demonstrating before marching to Lafayette Square where the Unite The Right 2 rally is expected to take place. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
Counter protesters at Freedom Plaza at about 2 p.m. demonstrating before marching to Lafayette Square where the Unite The Right 2 rally is expected to take place. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
WTOP/Keara Dowd
Reporters swarm people headed to the Unite The Right 2 rally, including Jason Kessler, from the Vienna Metro station. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Reporters swarm people headed to the Unite The Right 2 rally, including Jason Kessler, from the Vienna Metro station. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
Reporters have slid into a car that was kept private for people headed to the Unite The Right 2 rally from the Vienna Metro station. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Reporters have slid into a car that was kept private for people headed to the Unite The Right 2 rally from the Vienna Metro station. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
(WTOP/Max Smith)
A small group of Unite the Right 2 participants, including organizer Jason Kessler, enter the Vienna Metro Sunday afternoon. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
(WTOP/Max Smith)
One of the many groups at Freedom Plaza for anti-hate rally ahead of a march to Lafayette Square on Sunday, Aug. 12. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
One of the many groups at Freedom Plaza for anti-hate rally ahead of a march to Lafayette Square on Sunday, Aug. 12. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
WTOP/Keara Dowd
People gather at Freedom Plaza for an anti-hate rally ahead of a march to Lafayette Square on Sunday, Aug. 12. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
People gather at Freedom Plaza for an anti-hate rally ahead of a march to Lafayette Square on Sunday, Aug. 12. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
WTOP/Keara Dowd
Lots of activity at Freedom Plaza for the DC United Against Hate rally. Those here are planning to march to Lafayette Square at 3. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
Lots of activity at Freedom Plaza for the DC United Against Hate rally. Those here are planning to march to Lafayette Square at 3. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
WTOP/Keara Dowd
(WTOP/Keara Dowd)
Counterprotesters gather at the Vienna Metro station before Unite the Right 2 participants arrive Sunday afternoon. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters gather at the Vienna Metro station before Unite the Right 2 participants arrive Sunday afternoon. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
Counterprotesters gather at the Vienna Metro station before Unite the Right 2 participants arrive. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters gather at the Vienna Metro station before Unite the Right 2 participants arrive Sunday afternoon. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
(WTOP/Max Smith)
(WTOP/Max Smith)
Fairfax County Police are lining the entrance over I-66. Metro leaders and workers are going over plans for Sunday's events. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Metro leaders and workers are going over plans for Sunday’s events. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
Fairfax County Police are lining the entrance over I-66. Metro leaders and workers are going over plans for Sunday's events. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Fairfax County Police are lining the entrance over I-66. Metro leaders and workers are going over plans for Sunday’s events. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
(WTOP/Max Smith)
Metro officials, local police and union representatives were present at Metro's Vienna station Sunday morning. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Metro officials, Metro police and union representatives were present at Metro’s Vienna station Sunday morning. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
(WTOP/Max Smith)
(WTOP/Max Smith)
(WTOP/Max Smith)
(WTOP/Max Smith)
At a rally in Booker T. Washington Park in Charlottesville, Virginia, a speaker says, "This is a really big day. They may lock down our city, but they will never lock down our fight.” (WTOP/Max Smith)
At a rally in Booker T. Washington Park in Charlottesville, Virginia, a speaker says, “This is a really big day. They may lock down our city, but they will never lock down our fight.” (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
(WTOP/Max Smith)
(WTOP/Max Smith)
Rally-goers gather in Booker T. Washington Park in Charlottesville, Virginia, on the morning of Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018 — a year after a deadly white nationalist rally in the town. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
Rallies are taking place in Booker T. Washington Park in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018 -- a year after a deadly white nationalist rally in the town. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Rallies are taking place in Booker T. Washington Park in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018 — a year after a deadly white nationalist rally in the town. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
A year after Heather Heyer was killed and others injured, the sun rises over Charlottesville, Virginia. Booker T. Washington Park is one of the places anti-racism protesters are gathering Sunday morning ahead of other memorials, prayer services, marches and even a sing a long in the afternoon. (WTOP/Max Smith)
A year after Heather Heyer was killed and others were injured, the sun rises over Charlottesville, Virginia. Booker T. Washington Park is one of the places anti-racism protesters are gathering Sunday morning ahead of other memorials, prayer services, marches and even a singalong in the afternoon. (WTOP/Max Smith)
WTOP/Max Smith
(1/80)
Kessler marches with supporters and police escorts toward Layafatte Square. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
D.C. police stop a counterprotester who rushed toward the white nationalists marching to Lafayette Square. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
D.C. police stop a man who rushed toward the white nationalists marching to Lafayette Square. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
White nationalists march toward Lafayette Square in Downtown D.C. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Kessler marches with supporters and police escorts toward Layafatte Square. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Eggs and water bottles fly as a small group of “Unite the Right” protesters began to leave the area. They were temporarily blocked by counterprotesters. (WTOP/ Max Smith)
Eggs and water bottles fly as a small group of “Unite the Right” protesters began to leave the area. They were temporarily blocked by counterprotesters. (WTOP/ Max Smith)
Counterprotesters demonstrate in Lafayette Square as rain falls Sunday during the Unite The Right protests. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
Huge crowds gather for the ANSWER Coalition protest Sunday at Lafayette Park. ( WTOP/Melissa Howell)
Huge crowds gather for the ANSWER Coalition protest Sunday at Lafayette Park. ( WTOP/Melissa Howell)
Huge crowds gather for the ANSWER Coalition protest Sunday at Lafayette Park. ( WTOP/Melissa Howell)
Huge crowds gather for the ANSWER Coalition protest Sunday at Lafayette Park. ( WTOP/Melissa Howell)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. The protesters are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. The protesters are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. The protesters are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. The protesters are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Anti-Fascists demonstrating on Pennsylvania Avenue during Sunday's "Unite the Right 2" rally and counterrallies. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
A counterprotester holds a sign reading "I ain't afraid of no ghosts" during the "Unite the Right 2" in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. The protesters are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters near the White House. They are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters near the White House. They are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters near the White House. They are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. They are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters walk in front of the group of Unite The Right protesters. They are mostly surrounded by D.C. Police. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters are walking in front of the group of Unite The Right 2 protesters. There are lots of D.C. Police present. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters waiting in Lafayette Square for Unite the Right 2 protesters marching from the Foggy Bottom Metro station. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
Outside the Foggy Bottom Metro station, a large group of media, counterprotesters and police greet Unite The Right 2 rally participants. (WTOP/ Max Smith)
Outside the Foggy Bottom Metro station, a large group of media, counterprotesters and police greet Unite The Right 2 rally participants. (WTOP/ Max Smith)
Outside the Foggy Bottom Metro station, a large group of media, counterprotesters and police greet Unite The Right 2 rally participants. (WTOP/ Max Smith)
Police presence at Foggy Bottom Metro. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Protesters gathering at Foggy Bottom Metro. (Courtesy Wilson Dizard)
Counter protesters at Freedom Plaza at about 2 p.m. demonstrating before marching to Lafayette Square where the Unite The Right 2 rally is expected to take place. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
Reporters swarm people headed to the Unite The Right 2 rally, including Jason Kessler, from the Vienna Metro station. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Reporters have slid into a car that was kept private for people headed to the Unite The Right 2 rally from the Vienna Metro station. (WTOP/Max Smith)
One of the many groups at Freedom Plaza for anti-hate rally ahead of a march to Lafayette Square on Sunday, Aug. 12. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
People gather at Freedom Plaza for an anti-hate rally ahead of a march to Lafayette Square on Sunday, Aug. 12. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
Lots of activity at Freedom Plaza for the DC United Against Hate rally. Those here are planning to march to Lafayette Square at 3. (WTOP/Keara Dowd)
Counterprotesters gather at the Vienna Metro station before Unite the Right 2 participants arrive Sunday afternoon. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Counterprotesters gather at the Vienna Metro station before Unite the Right 2 participants arrive. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Fairfax County Police are lining the entrance over I-66. Metro leaders and workers are going over plans for Sunday's events. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Fairfax County Police are lining the entrance over I-66. Metro leaders and workers are going over plans for Sunday's events. (WTOP/Max Smith)
Metro officials, local police and union representatives were present at Metro's Vienna station Sunday morning. (WTOP/Max Smith)
At a rally in Booker T. Washington Park in Charlottesville, Virginia, a speaker says, "This is a really big day. They may lock down our city, but they will never lock down our fight.” (WTOP/Max Smith)
Rallies are taking place in Booker T. Washington Park in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018 -- a year after a deadly white nationalist rally in the town. (WTOP/Max Smith)
A year after Heather Heyer was killed and others injured, the sun rises over Charlottesville, Virginia. Booker T. Washington Park is one of the places anti-racism protesters are gathering Sunday morning ahead of other memorials, prayer services, marches and even a sing a long in the afternoon. (WTOP/Max Smith)

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