Homeland Security warned Virginia police ahead of Charlottesville rally that the event would be 'among the most violent' clashes to date

White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the &#039;alt-right&#039; clash with counter-protesters.

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

published 30 August 2017

The Department of Homeland Security had anticipated that the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, earlier this month was going to be one of the "most violent" clashes "to date" with anti-fascist anarchists, Politico reports. The department tipped off Virginia law enforcement three days before the Unite the Right rally in a confidential report. Ultimately, one person died and many others were injured in the violence that erupted at the event.

The DHS memo warned that "anarchist extremists and white supremacist extremists online are calling on supporters to be prepared for or to instigate violence at the 12 August rally" and that one suspected white supremacist had urged followers to "arms," saying the "antifa must be destroyed."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Explore More

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.

Subscribe to The Week

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox