Charlottesville far-right demonstration organiser Jason Kessler chased out of town
Jason Kessler, who organised the ‘Unite the Right’ march, was chased away by protestors as he attempted to conduct a press conference with alt-right leader Richard Spencer in the city centre. Before being led away by an officer for his own protection and escorted into a nearby police station he had blamed the city’s officers for not preventing the violent clashes during Saturday’s protest. When Mr Kessler appeared, a crowd of around 300 who had gathered with the media shouted “murderer”, “terrorist” and “nazi”. Footage of the event shows Mr Kessler being escorted away from a hostile group that heckled him.
EPA Jason Kessler is chased by protestors after he tried to hold a press conference in Charlottesville
While he fled the scene he made several remarks criticising the people who were booing him. He said: "That hate that you hear around you, that is the anti-white hate.” In a video message he posted on social media he blamed the police and city authorities for being responsible for the violence seen during Saturday’s rally as well as criticising them for the handling of the press conference.
EPA About 300 protestors turned out to heckle Jason Kessler during his attempted press conference
Mr Kessler said: "I knew going in that I was putting my life in my hands, that's probably the last time I'm going to do that for quite some time.” The police confirmed that a man had been arrested and charged with misdemeanour assault and battery after a state trooper had witnessed him spit on Mr Kessler. Heather Heyer, 21, was killed on Saturday when a car rammed into a group of people who were protesting against white supremacy.
EPA Police escort James Kessler away from the demonstrators