The community of Charlottesville gathered Wednesday evening for a peaceful candlelight vigil as the political fallout over the violent weekend protest in the city continues.
WATCH: People gather for a candlelight vigil in Charlottesville, Virginia. https://t.co/qlmqXSDkga
— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 17, 2017
Videos posted to social media show participants singing songs on the lawn of the University of Virginia.
Even in the rain, folks in Walker County came out to a candlelight vigil for victims in Charlottesville @WIAT42 pic.twitter.com/60Gwd9Q4s4
— Michael Clark (@mclarkreports) August 17, 2017
There’s a crowd of thousands holding a candlelight vigil at UVA in #Charlottesville right now. Signs like DEFEND DIVERSITY. All races, ages. https://t.co/xcNEZ4zySl
— Baron Schwartz (@xaprb) August 17, 2017
Beautiful scene in Charlottesville tonight. Stark contrast from the torch-wielding hatred on Aug 12. This candlelight vigil inspires hope.
— Tyler Hanley (@TylerHanley) August 17, 2017
I’ve never seen the UVA lawn like this. And this is only a quarter of the people here. Hundreds more marching. pic.twitter.com/t0ChLe1BuC
— Nora Neus (@noraneus) August 17, 2017
A candlelight vigil was also held in at least one other city, Raleigh, N.C.
“Won’t let hate put it out. I’m gon’ let it shine…” #candlelightvigil #Raleigh #Charlottesville pic.twitter.com/iR9IJFgFoh
— Joel Brown (@JoelBrownABC11) August 17, 2017
The community of Charlottesville is recovering from the violence last week that took place when white supremacist groups protesting the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue clashed with counter-protesters. One woman, Heather Heyer, was killed when she was run over by a Dodge Charger that drove into a crowd of counter-protesters. Nineteen others were injured.
As several state and local leaders have used the incident as a rallying call to remove Confederate monuments, President Trump has faced bipartisan condemnation for his reluctance to pick a side in addressing the violence in Charlottesville.
