Listen on the go: Four Days investigation, narrated by Kevin Donovan
Today, we’re investigating the four days of violence that occurred in Charlottesville over two weekends in August 2016.
On the first night, protesters of the white nationalist, anti-Semitic, and fascist groups marched through Charlottesville. About 40 right-wing extremists attacked counterprotesters, who responded with bricks, bottles, and other objects. At least one person was killed by a car bomb.
Later, a torch-lit march through downtown Charlottesville and clashes between the Ku Klux Klan and the white nationalists ended in violence. Two people were killed, including a University of Virginia college student.
In the final day, white nationalists clashed with counterprotesters in Charlottesville. After police broke up the clashes by firing tear gas and pepper spray at the group, an estimated 2,000 people marched through the city.
We’ve included a transcript of the four days of stories, as well as a series of videos. We’ve also included a timeline of the events.
The day of the violent clashes in Charlottesville
August 12, 2016
6:30 p.m.: A white man in a U.S. military uniform attacks a young black man
Charlottesville police say the man is a 22-year-old soldier from Vermont. An investigation is ongoing.
6:43 p.m.: A 20-year-old man who attended the white nationalist rally is being questioned by police, Charlottesville police say.
Charlottesville police: “We had not had a crime in our jurisdiction of a white nationalist since May of last year. This is the first of its kind we’ve had since then, so that’s quite an accomplishment.”
Charlottesville police: “We have had one in the past several months, so this is a significant increase.”
6:44 p.m.: Charlottesville Police Chief Al Thomas tweets, “UVA ADVISORY: Student was attacked, but alive, by white nationalist in parking lot behind #CiU. Police are investigating. Updates as they become available.”
6:50 p.m.: City Councilmember Wes Bellamy
