Culture

A Charlottesville City Council Meeting Descended Into Chaos Before Members Voted To Drape Confederate Statues

The above video shows the shambolic atmosphere that went down at Monday night’s Charlottesville City Council meeting. Business as usual wasn’t about to take place, for banner-wielding attendees demanded action over the murder of Heather Hayer by white supremacist James Alex Fields, Jr. Hayer’s mother has refused to speak with President Trump over his response to violence that broke out after a Unite the Right rally, and these protesters — who chanted “blood on your hands” — demanded to know why the group was even allowed to march (and spread their racially-charged message) within the city.

The council meeting did start out in typical fashion, and NBC News notes that members appeared keen to avoid mention of the rally, but this tactic did not stand with protesters. Thus, the situation quickly escalated:

The agenda for the meeting — the first since the Aug. 12 rally — did not mention the rally or its aftermath. But angry residents and protesters took over the meeting, hurling expletives at the officials and dressing them down.

At one point, the mayor, vice mayor and three council members fled and two people holding a sign that said “blood on your hands” jumped on the chamber’s dais, NBC affiliate WVIR reported.

The New York Times reports that around 100 people within the meeting shouted, “Shame!” and “Shut it down!” This not only resulted in council members fleeing the room, but authorities also forcibly removed multiple people (holding them until the meeting’s conclusion) and slapped them with disorderly conduct charges.

Once the council returned to the chamber, NBC News notes that the meeting continued for three hours (full of “tongue-lashing” by furious attendees). Finally, the council decided — by way of a unanimous vote — to “drape the statues in recognition of the city’s mourning” and in tribute to Hayer. The statues will also be relocated after an undetermined period of time, which will likely happen sooner rather than later. After all, council members will be keen to avoid another scene like the one shown in the below clip.

(Via NBC News & New York Times)

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