Jason Kessler, the organizer of the Unite the Right rally that turned deadly in Charlottesville, Va., is suing the city for denying him a permit to hold an anniversary event in August, according to a report.
Kessler filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday against Charlottesville and City Manager Maurice Jones that argues his First Amendment rights were violated when the city rejected his request to host a demonstration at Emancipation Park on Aug. 11-12 because it would “present a danger to public safety,” per the Charlottesville Daily Progress.
The rally in 2017 was prompted by the city’s decision to rename Lee and Jackson parks Emancipation and Justice parks, respectively, as well as remove statues of Confederate Gens. Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson in the parks.
Heather Heyer was killed when James Alex Fields, who had ties to white supremacists, rammed his car into a group counterprotesting the event. Fields was later charged with second-degree murder and now faces up to life in prison.
Kessler is seeking compensation and a judgment stating the city violated his First Amendment and 14th Amendment rights by opposing his application.
He is also asking for a “temporary restraining order and/or preliminary injunction enjoining Defendants to permit the demonstration to go on as planned,” according to the complaint.
No hearing date has been set, per the Daily Progress.
Neither Kessler, his legal team, nor the city were available for comment when asked by the local newspaper.
