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Plan for August 12th Anniversary: Increased Police Presence and Vigilance

AP Photo / Steve Helber

Last August, white supremacists marched through the streets of Charlottesville in violent protests that left one person dead and several others injured. Last night, City and regional leaders told the community how the city is preparing for the one-year anniversary.

Jason Kessler, one of the primary organizers of the “Unite the Right” rally, is currently trying to obtain a permit for an anniversary rally in Charlottesville.

Whether that happens is still the subject of legal challenges, but city officials are preparing for the worst.

RaShall Brackney was recently hired as Charlottesville’s police chief.

“So I don’t care when any judge makes any decision about Kessler; my thoughts are somebody’s coming here, and shame on us if we don’t plan for whoever might show under whatever name they come up here. That’s our strategy.”

Authorities were light on exact details of what that strategy includes. However, one thing that is certain is that there will be an increased police presence on August 12th and the week prior.

Craig Worsham is with the Virginia State Police:

“We are gonna have state police here. They are going to be equipped, resourced and postured in a manner as to where they can react appropriately along with our other partners that we have been training with from Charlottesville City Police Department, Albemarle County, University of Virginia Police Department as well as our fire and EMS partners.”

Officials continuously stressed that police would not idly standby should violence break out in the streets once again.

Charlottesville City Council is set to receive a similar briefing next Monday.

You can find more information on some of the city's efforts here.

Nick Gilmore is a meteorologist, news producer and reporter/anchor for RADIO IQ.