Parallels to Charlottesville
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Ku Klux Klan member directs car into people at demo in Virginia
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A man kneels during a demonstration against police violence and racism in Richmond, Virginia, while holding up a sign. Archive photo.
Photo: AP / DANIEL SANGJIB MIN
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Washington A suspected supporter of the racist Ku Klux Klan (KKK) has been arrested in Virginia and is said to have intentionally driven his car into a group of anti-racism protesters.
The 36-year-old is accused of assault and vandalism, among other things, as the prosecutor of the administrative district Henrico announced on Monday via the short message service Twitter. According to media reports, the man should describe himself as a KKK leadership member.
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A protester was slightly injured in the incident near Richmond City on Sunday, the media said. The arrested man drove his vehicle directly to the peaceful group of demonstrators, then accelerated and entered the group, Prosecutor Shannon Taylor said.
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The incident commemorates the fatal car attack on protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia in August 2017. At that time, a neo-Nazi had driven into a group of people who had demonstrated against a march by right-wing extremists. A woman was killed and 29 other people injured. The attacker was sentenced to life and another 419 years in prison.
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Current nationwide protests against racism in the United States were sparked by the death of African American George Floyd in a brutal police operation in the state of Minnesota two weeks ago.
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