White Nationalist

So Long, Crying Nazi

Landon Shroder | July 21, 2018

Topics: Charlottesville, Chris Cantwell, Commonwealth's Attorney, Jason Kessler, Unite the Right, White Nationalist, white supremacy

The white supremacist Chris Cantwell, a major figure during last year’s disastrous Unite the Right rally now known as the “Crying Nazi,” has been barred from entering the Commonwealth for the next five years. On Friday, he plead guilty to assault and battery for spraying two anti-racist activists with pepper spray on the eve of the rally.

Cantwell, who gained notoriety after being featured in a VICE News documentary, used the pepper spray near the end of a torch-lit march through UVA’s campus chanting “Jews will not replace us” and “blood and soil.” He became known as the “Crying Nazi” a week later, after he posted a YouTube video on August 18, shortly after a warrant was issued for his arrest. During the humiliating video, a crying Cantwell says, “I don’t know what do,” followed by, “I want to be peaceful, I want to be law abiding.” This was in stark contrast to the felony charge he was indicted on, which has been downgraded to misdemeanor assault as part of his plea deal.

According to a statement on Facebook from Robert Tracci, the Albemarle Commonwealth’s Attorney, Cantwell is required to leave Virginia within eight hours, and not return for a period of five years. He is also barred from possessing firearms within the Commonwealth.

Albemarle Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Statement

He was also fined $250 for violating terms associated with his bond, by referencing his victims directly and indirectly through his far-reaching presence on white supremacist and alt-right media, even while incarcerated. Tracci’s statement concluded by saying, “This outcome brings a measure of finality to the Defendant’s dispersal of pepper spray nearly a year ago. This agreement was supported by the victims in this case, who have been consulted at each stage of the criminal process. Finally, this agreement does not foreclose additional potential criminal prosecution of conduct arising from the events of August 11th of last year.”

An anniversary rally is being planned in Washington DC by Jason Kessler the organizer of last year’s Unite the Right. His permits have been tentatively approved and are awaiting final permission. After a recent blog post by Cantwell accusing Kessler of poor leadership, though, it seems unlikely that the Crying Nazi will be in attendance.

Charlottesville Refuses Permit for White Supremacist to Hold Unite the Right Anniversary Rally

Landon Shroder | December 11, 2017

Topics: Charlottesville, Jason Kessler, Permit Denied, Unite the Right, White Nationalist, white supremacist

*This story has been updated

The beleaguered city of Charlottesville has denied a request by white supremacist Jason Kessler for a permit to celebrate the anniversary of the Unite the Right rally next August. The rally held on August 12 ended in a terrorist attack by white supremacist, James Fields Jr. According to a memo from the city manager’s office, the permit has been turned down due to the fact that the, “proposed demonstration or special event will present a danger to public safety”.

Kessler had applied for a permit at the end of November, claiming that the rally would be, “against the government’s civil rights abuse and failure to follow security plans for political dissidents.” The city manager in his denial of the permit claimed that Kessler was not authorized to sign the application on behalf of any group applying for the permit. It additionally stated that there was no legally registered group willing to, “accept responsibility for the group’s adherence to the limitations set forth within the City’s special events regulations.” Kessler is currently facing a multi-million dollar lawsuit for his organization of the Unite the Right, which left Heather Hyer dead and up to thirty other people wounded in a vehicular terrorist attack.

The city of Charlottesville has also come under deep scrutiny for their handling of the preparations leading up to the events of Unite the Right. In an independent report recently released to assess the failures of planning which led to the chaos surrounding August 12, Tim Heaphey the former US Attorney for Western Virginia found that the police failed to adequately prepare and communicate. Among other things, the report stated, “CPD [Charlottesville Police Department] commanders did not reach out to officials in other jurisdictions where these groups had clashed previously to seek information and advice. CPD supervisors did not provide adequate training or information to line officers, leaving them uncertain and unprepared for a challenging enforcement environment. ”

Nonetheless, according to NBC 29, two colleagues of Kessler have also applied for permits at McGuffey and Justice parks on the same weekend – the city has until Wednesday to rule on these permits.

*As of yesterday, both additional permit requests from Kessler’s colleagues have also been denied.

White Nationalist Richard Spencer Leads Torchlit Rally at Emancipation Park in Charlottesville

RVA Staff | October 8, 2017

Topics: Charlottesville, Confederate monuments, richard spencer, robert e lee, White Nationalist, white supremacy

*This is a developing story.

White nationalist Richard Spencer just led another torchlit rally at Emancipation Park in Charlottesville. Spencer, who is one of the most recognizable faces of the alt-right and white nationalist movement held a similar rally in May to protest the removal of a statue glorifying Confederate General Robert E. Lee. According to posts being circulated on Twitter and Facebook, around two dozen young white men gathered at the feet of the statue which remains shrouded due to events surrounding Unite the Right in August. Unite the Right was the largest gathering of white nationalists and supremacists in decades, which left one counter-protestor dead in a domestic terror attack.

Spencer’s group was recorded chanting, “You will not replace us”. This was the same chant used by white nationalists and supremacist who stormed University of Virginia’s campus in another torchlit procession the Friday before Unite the Right this past August. Torchlit rallies have become a signature hallmark of these groups, and is a visible symbol meant to intimidate and threaten those who do not support their supremacist ideology.

In another video of the incident retweeted by Spencer, he can be seen speaking to the crowd saying, “We are here to represent white America’s interests.” He eventually finishing by saying, “The left wing establishment is built around anti-white policies and anti-white rhetoric…we are a people with interests and we are a people who will not be replaced.” The group of white supremacists was also apparently recorded chanting, “the south will rise again” and “Russia is our friend”. According to information circulating on social media, Spencer and his cohort left about 45 minutes after showing up on the scene. No arrests or injuries have been reported.

*Cover photo by CBS19 News – Charlottesville Newsplex