State Police on Saturday patrol the road in front of Market Street park as they lock down the downtown area in anticipation of the anniversary of last year's Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Anniversary events organized in Charlottesville, Va., were ongoing Saturday, in recognition of one year passing since a Unite the Right rally there turned violent.
On the day’s itinerary were several remembrance events, including a “morning of reflection and renewal,” a poetry session, and an appearance by University of Virginia President James Ryan, who was on deck to speak. A “Rally for Justice” was also scheduled in the evening.
There was a significant police presence in the city in anticipation of the day's events, with hundreds of people arriving by the afternoon, according to the city.
There was significant police presence in Charlottesville in anticipation of the day’s events, with hundreds of people arriving by the afternoon, according to the city. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Some activists began chanting at police officers, however, upset over the amount of law enforcement there.
"Why are you in riot gear? We don't see no riot here," activists said.
Roughly 200 protesters relocated their group to a different area of the college grounds, which was done because they didn't want to be "caged" in their original spot, Kibiriti Majuto, a coordinator for UVA Students United, told The Associated Press.
Majuto argued that officers hadn't been "on our side" last year.
Demonstrators carry banners on the campus of the University of Virginia during a rally for the anniversary of last year's Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
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The first Unite the Right rally was held on Aug. 12, 2017. White nationalists arrived in Charlottesville to demonstrate against the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. The rally turned violent as protesters clashed with counterprotesters, ultimately resulting in the death of Heather Heyer, 32.
Heyer was killed when a person drove a car through a crowd of counterprotesters.
Heyer’s mother, Susan Bro, told The Associated Press that she’d been dreading the first anniversary of her daughter’s death and compared losing a child to standing in shallow water as waves repeatedly roll in.
“You let the wave wash over, and you don't chase it. You let it go and you're OK until the next one comes,” she said. “But today, I feel like high tide is in.”
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State Police inspect bags on Saturday as they lock down the downtown area. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Earlier Saturday, authorities established concrete barriers and metal fences and police were searching bags at checkpoints.
Three men were taken into custody by police around the secured perimeter, accused of trespassing, possessing prohibited items and being drunk in public, the city said in a news release.
President Trump marked the anniversary in a tweet earlier Saturday. In it, he called for unity and condemning “all types of racism and acts of violence.”
“The riots in Charlottesville a year ago resulted in senseless death and division. We must come together as a nation. I condemn all types of racism and acts of violence. Peace to ALL Americans!” he tweeted.
Saturday’s events in Charlottesville precede a planned “white civil rights” rally set for Sunday in Washington, D.C. The demonstration was planned by Jason Kessler, who also organized last year’s rally.
Fox News’ Adam Shaw and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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