White Supremacist protest in Charlottesville, Virginia to retain Robert E. Lee statue with Torchlight parade. UPDATE

http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/torch-wielding-protesters-gather-at-lee-park/article_201dc390-384d-11e7-bf16-fb43de0f5d38.html

The above article is about a protest at Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. Evidently Richard Spencer, nationally infamous white nationalist was there.

It was a torch light parade, rather photogenic for the media.

Major media outside of Virginia. SEE UPDATE for more links to national media coverage.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/torch-wielding-protesters-rally-confederate-statue-virginia-article-1.3164235

Local TV coverage

There was a protest during the day and it seems a torchlight parade later that evening.

http://www.nbc29.com/story/35422510/lee-statue-removal-protesters-clash-scuffle-with-supporters-at-park

http://www.newsplex.com/content/news/Protesters-light-torches-at-Lee-Park-to-protest-statue-removal-422187993.html


The article quotes protesters saying "Russia is our friend" and "Blood and soil."

This type of event really demolishes the "Heritage Not Hate" ruse. Though we can expect that pro-Confederate groups will disavow them.

I think though this event will create an environment where the various proposals to retain the Robert E. Lee statue with some pretext of contextualization just won't be an option.

If the statue is removed. it will of course lead to efforts elsewhere. People will wonder why their city still has Confederate monuments.

UPDATE:

I am adding a few links to the story from other news media sources. It is becoming national news.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/05/14/dozens_of_torch_wielding_white_supremacists_protest_removal_of_confederate.html