In August 2017 , the city was the site of the " Unite the Right rally " , organized by white supremacist groups to protest against the removal of the '' Robert E.Lee '' statue from then Lee Park , subsequently renamed Emancipation Park . After the rally , a white nationalist drove a car into protesters , resulting in the death of protester Heather Heyer and causing injuries to 19 others . The incident became national news and Charlottesville became a symbol of political turbulence nationwide
white nationalist drove a car into protesters
Charlottesville car attack
Charlottesville, Virginia