Ku Klux Klan Protest Met With Anti-Racism Demonstrators In Charlottesville, Virginia

Ku Klux Klan Protest Met With Anti-Racism Demonstrators In Charlottesville, Virginia

Ku Klux Klan demonstrators were met with counter-protesters in Virginia on Saturday over a dispute regarding the removal of a statue.

Supporters of the white supremacist group marched on Charlottesville to protest the removal of a statue of General Robert E Lee, who oversaw the pro-slavery Confederate forces in the US civil war.

Police manned the march and KKK supporters were separated from opponents by metal barricades.

KKK members watch as anti-KKK groups chanted against them.
KKK members watch as anti-KKK groups chanted against them.
The Washington Post via Getty Images

It is estimated that there were about 1,000 people at the march and just 50 of those were KKK members, some of whom were carrying Confederate flags.

Charlottesville is traditionally a quiet university town.

 As they watched the KKK rally, anti-KKK rally goers chanted, 'Shame on you, shame on you.
As they watched the KKK rally, anti-KKK rally goers chanted, 'Shame on you, shame on you.
The Washington Post via Getty Images

Counter-protesters greeted KKK supporters with chants of "racists go home" and "shame" at Justice Park.

"Police were deployed to secure access to the park and ensure the safety of all involved," a Virginia State Police spokeswoman said.

After KKK members were escorted to their vehicles by officers, police declared the counter-protests "unlawful" and used three canisters of tear gas, local media reported.

More than 20 people were also arrested.

A KKK group from North Carolina called the Loyal White Knights protested in Justice Park.
A KKK group from North Carolina called the Loyal White Knights protested in Justice Park.
The Washington Post via Getty Images
A protester throws the hat off a counter protester before a planned Ku Klux Klan protest.
A protester throws the hat off a counter protester before a planned Ku Klux Klan protest.
Chet Strange via Getty Images
Protesters outside of a planned Ku Klux Klan march.
Protesters outside of a planned Ku Klux Klan march.
Chet Strange via Getty Images
A protester has his eyes washed after being tear gassed by police.
A protester has his eyes washed after being tear gassed by police.
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS via Getty Images
A protester has her eyes washed after being tear gassed by police following a Ku Klux Klan rally.
A protester has her eyes washed after being tear gassed by police following a Ku Klux Klan rally.
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS via Getty Images
Police escort members of the Ku Klux Klan past protesters.
Police escort members of the Ku Klux Klan past protesters.
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS via Getty Images
Anti- KKK protesters are arrested.
Anti- KKK protesters are arrested.
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS via Getty Images
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