According to a report in politico.com, the Department of Homeland security warned the city, county, and state officials about the potential for violence when the white supremacists and Antifa met in Charlottesville on August 12th. From Politico:
Charlottesville protest rally, (the DHS warning) saying that an escalating series of clashes had created a powder keg that would likely make the event “among the most violent to date” between white supremacists and anarchists.
“Anarchist extremists and white supremacist extremists online are calling on supporters to be prepared for or to instigate violence at the 12 August rally,” the assessment warned.
So why were the Charlottesville’s police told to stand down and do nothing?
Charlottesville police already have been criticized for their response to the rally, including for failing to show up in riot gear and for failing to deploy in large enough numbers to separate the groups, beginning with a torchlight march held by white supremacists the night before.
Who gave the Charlottesville police this order? Was it coordinated with the Governor? I suspect that it was. Virginia Democrats thought the issue of the Confederate statues would be a winner for them in November. They were wrong. More people support keeping Confederate statues than oppose them. In a nationwide poll, 62% of those surveyed said the Confederate monuments should remain.
State officials had been warned and they did nothing. They should be held responsible for the tragedy that unfolded in Charlottesville.
Read more here.
