Government

Why D.C. Drowned Out the White Nationalists

The second Unite the Right rally saw an emaciated turnout. But residents of Washington, D.C., have something of a tradition of showing up to oppose white supremacists.
Counter-protesters celebrate after a sparsely attended second Unite the Right rally in D.C.Leah Millis/Reuters

Jason Kessler and his small group of white nationalist supporters were greeted with hostility the moment they stepped out of the Foggy Bottom Metro stop in the District of Columbia on Sunday.

Escorted by police officers, they shuffled into the permitted rally area in Lafayette Park sometime after 3:30 p.m. After setting up their stage, making about 20 minutes of barely audible speeches, and briefly talking to the press, the 20- to 30-strong white nationalist rally snuck out—again, alongside police. By about 5 p.m., Unite the Right 2 was over, before it had even been scheduled to truly begin.