PHOENIXVILLE, PA — A Rally for Equality will be held in Phoenixville on Friday evening in the wake of the violence at a white nationalist rally and counter-demonstration in Charlottesville, Virginia, that left one dead and dozens more injured over the weekend. The event, scheduled for Friday, is aimed to condemn not only the violence and bigotry on display in Virginia, but also the hatred much closer to home, the organizer says.

Mayor Michael Speck, along with Dan McDowell from Grace Crossing Community Church, have been added to the list of speakers. Organizers expect other community leaders to speak as well. "The issue is that racism exists," said Chris Brickhouse, the man behind the protest. "I see it every single day. I saw today. I think everyone sees it. "

Demonstrators will gather in Reeves Park on Friday, Aug. 18, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. (NOTE: The location has been changed to Reeves Park. The rally will no longer be held at the corner of Bridge and Main) Heather Heyer, 32, was killed in Charlottesville on Saturday when a car was driven into a crowd of demonstrators counter-the protesting white nationalist "Unite the Right" rally. In addition to the death, 35 people were injured in the crash and other incidents throughout the day. A wide variety of far-right groups had gathered in the city to protest the removal of the Confederate Robert E. Lee statue from a public park.



"People need to stand up to the alt-right regardless of the political divisions imposed upon us," Brickhouse said. "We need to assemble under the flag of equality: Republicans, Democrats, independents." The protest will not move into the street, but will stay in the park, which is public property. Phoenixville Middle Ward Councilman Michael Kuznar said that no permits were needed for the event.



"I strongly question the ideological viewpoints of anybody that shows up to a protest making a Hitler salute or wearing a Nazi flag," Phoenixville Middle Ward Councilman Michael Kuznar said. "I don't know how they call themselves Americans. It's disgusting and needs to be denounced by everyone."

Organizers said that the Phoenixville Police and Pennsylvania State Police would be on hand. Brickhouse stressed that the event will be peaceful in nature.