Bay Area residents rally against Charlottesville white nationalists

In the wake of the death of a woman at a white supremacy rally in Virginia over the weekend, more than a half-dozen vigils were being organized across the Bay Area in solidarity against race-related violence.

On Saturday, a rally that drew some 450 protesters in downtown Oakland temporarily shut down a portion of Interstate 580, but police reported no arrests, vandalism or injuries.

One of the larger vigils to condemn race-related violence was planned for 7 p.m. Sunday at San Francisco City Hall. Other nighttime rallies are scheduled in San Jose and at Oakland City Hall, where police urged the public to assemble peacefully and warned that the department had increased staffing “to facilitate a safe environment” for participants.

Monique Tula of the Harm Reduction Coalition attends an anti-hate rally at Oakland's Latham Square on Sunday, August 13, 2017. Monique Tula of the Harm Reduction Coalition attends an anti-hate rally at Oakland's Latham Square on Sunday, August 13, 2017. Photo: Carolyne Zinko/the Chronicle Photo: Carolyne Zinko/the Chronicle Image 1 of / 80 Caption Close Bay Area residents rally against Charlottesville white nationalists 1 / 80 Back to Gallery

Other solidarity gatherings were scheduled throughout the day in San Anselmo, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Mill Valley, Albany, El Cerrito, Castro Valley, Mountain View and La Honda, many organized by Indivisible, a progressive political group.

Earlier in the day, a rally was held at San Carlos City Hall. On Facebook, participant Karen Wright urged friends to attend, noting, “Charlottesville, Aug 12, 2017 is a day our kids will learn about in history class. Our kids will then ask you what did we do on Aug 13? What did we do to stand up for their freedom. For their country. For their future.”

Carolyne Zinko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: czinko@sfchronicle.com