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City of Charlottesville spent $921K on Unite the Right anniversary

The City paid $600,000 more this year than it did in 2017

<p>There were some tense moments between police and protesters in Downtown Charlottesville on Aug. 12, 2018, although the demonstrations were largely peaceful.&nbsp;</p>

There were some tense moments between police and protesters in Downtown Charlottesville on Aug. 12, 2018, although the demonstrations were largely peaceful. 

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The City of Charlottesville spent approximately $921,000 on the one-year anniversary of the violent white supremacist Unite the Right rallies this past August, according to a press release from the City. Comparatively, the City spent $319,723 during the Unite the Right rallies in August 2017. 

Virginia State Police spent $3.1 million over the weekend. The University spent approximately $422,000. 

Police-related actions — above and beyond what would normally be happening from Aug. 10 – Aug. 13 — cost $227,387 and fire-related expenses summed to $135,255. The City paid $188,101 for materials and supplies, including traffic and pedestrian control and equipment rentals.

The City also enlisted the mutual aid from several other local police, sheriff and fire and rescue departments, worth $122,061, according to the release.

Police activity over the anniversary weekend drew backlash from community members and students, especially for the use of riot gear towards nonviolent demonstrators. The elevated police presence came after law enforcement failed to intervene to stop white supremacist violence at last year’s rallies in August 2017. An independent report said the police response during the 2017 Unite the Right rallies was inadequate.

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