In the aftermath of the chaotic and deadly white supremacy rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, hundreds of people packed Rosa Park Circle in downtown Grand Rapids Sunday evening to stand in solidarity with “their fallen comrade” and protest white nationalism. On Saturday, 32-year-old Heather Heyer lost her life protesting a white supremacist march in Charlottesville when a car driven by 20-year-old James Alex Field Junior intentionally ploughed into the group of protestors. Demonstration organizer Pádraig Armano says the need for a public demonstration by those who oppose white nationalism came after finding the events in Charlottesville over the weekend so troubling.
“This is not normal, something strange has happened,” Armano said. “This could be the beginnings of fascism in America.”
A number of organizations came out for the demonstration including the Minorities United Front, Black Lives Matter, and Indivisible West Michigan. While speakers took turns addressing the crowd, the most passionate may have come from Tyjuan Deshon Thirdgill, who says he rejects the notion that the events in Charlottesville have nothing to do with Grand Rapids.
“It has everything to do with Grand Rapids,” Thirdgill told WGVU. “What happened in Charlottesville is not limited to Charlottesville. The only difference between Charlottesville and here is that the people who support white nationalist ideas are not as bold as they are in Charlottesville. So to people who say that what is happening in Charlottesville is miles away, no, it is right in your city, it is in your neighborhood,” he said.
One of the more tense moments in the demonstration came when a member of the militia showed up in fatigues with a 9 millimeter pistol strapped to his leg. However former Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Eric Gargas was quick to show his support, and condemn white nationalism.
“You know, the people, the extremists, they’re just confused. There is no reason, I served with everybody. Women, men homosexuals, it doesn’t matter. They’re still people. They are still American citizens,” Gargas said.
After the demonstration, the crowd wearing all black marched to AH Nab Awan Park for a candle light vigil before returning to Rosa Parks Circle. Armano said Rosa Parks Circle was intentionally picked as the meeting place for its historical significance.
