Charlottesville groups plan anti-racism events to mark anniversary of deadly rally

A memorial to Heather Heyer is seen in late July 2018 in downtown Charlottesville near where the 32-year-old was killed when a car plowed into a group of counterprotesters during last August's white nationalist "Unite the Right" rally. (WTOP/Lisa Weiner)
A memorial to Heather Heyer is seen in late July 2018 in downtown Charlottesville near where the 32-year-old was killed when a car plowed into a group of counterprotesters during last August’s white nationalist “Unite the Right” rally. (WTOP/Lisa Weiner)
A memorial to Heather Heyer is seen in late July 2018 in downtown Charlottesville near where the 32-year-old was killed when a car plowed into a group of counterprotesters during last August's white nationalist "Unite the Right" rally. (WTOP/Lisa Weiner)
A memorial to Heather Heyer is seen in late July 2018 in downtown Charlottesville near where the 32-year-old was killed when a car plowed into a group of counterprotesters during last August’s white nationalist “Unite the Right” rally. (WTOP/Lisa Weiner)
A memorial to Heather Heyer is seen in late July 2018 in downtown Charlottesville near where the 32-year-old was killed when a car plowed into a group of counterprotesters during last August's white nationalist "Unite the Right" rally. (WTOP/Lisa Weiner)
A memorial to Heather Heyer is seen in late July 2018 in downtown Charlottesville near where the 32-year-old was killed when a car plowed into a group of counterprotesters during last August’s white nationalist “Unite the Right” rally. (WTOP/Lisa Weiner)
Charlottesville designated a portion of 4th Street in Heyer's memory. (WTOP/Lisa Weiner)
Charlottesville designated a portion of 4th Street in Heyer’s memory. (WTOP/Lisa Weiner)
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A memorial to Heather Heyer is seen in late July 2018 in downtown Charlottesville near where the 32-year-old was killed when a car plowed into a group of counterprotesters during last August's white nationalist "Unite the Right" rally. (WTOP/Lisa Weiner)
A memorial to Heather Heyer is seen in late July 2018 in downtown Charlottesville near where the 32-year-old was killed when a car plowed into a group of counterprotesters during last August's white nationalist "Unite the Right" rally. (WTOP/Lisa Weiner)
A memorial to Heather Heyer is seen in late July 2018 in downtown Charlottesville near where the 32-year-old was killed when a car plowed into a group of counterprotesters during last August's white nationalist "Unite the Right" rally. (WTOP/Lisa Weiner)
Charlottesville designated a portion of 4th Street in Heyer's memory. (WTOP/Lisa Weiner)

WASHINGTON — As the one-year anniversary of the deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, approaches, community members, students and groups advocating for racial justice are planning several events to fight back against racism.

The events — which include a poster giveaway, a University of Virginia student rally and a church service — begin this weekend and last through Aug. 12.

The full list of events:

The events come as organizers of a white nationalist “Unite the Right” anniversary rally have dropped a court fight seeking to challenge the city’s decision to deny that group a rally permit.

Event organizer Jason Kessler said he is shifting his focus to D.C., saying he plans to mark the one-year anniversary of the rally during a “pro-white civil rights” rally in Lafayette Park, across the street from the White House, on Aug. 12.

Last August, several people were injured in the melee surrounding the white nationalist rally, and 32-year-old Charlottesville resident Heather Heyer was killed when a man drove his car into a crowd of counterprotesters.

Jack Moore

Jack Moore joined WTOP.com as a digital writer/editor in July 2016. Previous to his current role, he covered federal government management and technology as the news editor at Nextgov.com, part of Government Executive Media Group.

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