With little direct interaction between the white supremecists and the counterprotesters, the rallies did not escalate to the violence that marked last year's rally in Charlottesville.
The reopening came after tense confrontations between protesters and state police throughout the afternoon, as well as four arrests.
Susan Bro said the weekend of demonstrations should focus on everyone who was injured last August.
Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church in Charlottesville was packed Sunday morning as attendees waited for Rev. Al Sharpton, a civil rights activist, to deliver a guest sermon.
Speakers reflected on the tragic events of last year and criticized the heavy law enforcement presence in Charlottesville this weekend.
During the march, what appeared to be two tussles with police were documented on social media.
Rally organized by U.Va. Students United relocated from Rotunda to Lambeth Field Saturday night in protest of police presence.
About 30-40 anti-fascist activists gathered at a memorial to Heather Heyer and then held a peaceful march down the Downtown Mall Saturday afternoon.
One was charged with disorderly conduct, one with trespassing and one with public intoxication
The checks follow a trend of City-imposed safety measures for the one-year anniversary of last summer's violent white supremacist rallies.
“We do nothing more than recognize our common humanity to say to those who were attacked around the statue last year: I am sorry,” Ryan said Saturday. “We are sorry.”
University Avenue at Culbreth Road and Rugby Road at Culbreth Avenue will be closed to allow “safe pedestrian traffic at the intersection."
Activists expressed the need to eliminate a public platform for all white supremacists and to protest what they believe to be an excessive police presence in Charlottesville this weekend.
Metal detectors and crowd size limits will be among the security measures imposed Saturday night on a planned demonstration by student activism group U.Va. Students United at the North Plaza of the Rotunda.
Organizer Jason Kessler received a permit from the National Park Service to hold “Unite the Right 2” in Washington, D.C. on Sunday.
The members of the class of 2021 have only known the University as it has been affected by the white nationalist rallies of last August.
As the one-year anniversary of the Unite the Right rally approaches, some people have criticized security plans as an excessive and burdensome response to the failures of last year.
The heightened police presence on and around Grounds has been a cause for alarm among some students, particularly within minority communities.
Fast-casual chain Qdoba Mexican Eats closed last month after nearly 15 years of business on the Corner.
Hundreds of state troopers and other law enforcement personnel have already begun to descend upon the City as the region and state prepare for any demonstrations or other incidents of civil unrest this weekend.
