A Call to Conscience

Abstract

This chapter recounts the July 8 ku Klux Klan event that worsened the division among members of Charlottesville's clergy. It looks at religious leaders who had gone to Justice Park to confront the Klan largely that believed that the Charlottesville Police Department had effectively taken sides in favor of the Klan and against the counterprotesters. It also talks about the “Congregate Charlottesville,” which is a clergy group that was created after the Klan rally and who identified themselves as an instrument for organizing faith leaders. The chapter describes the Congregate Charlottesville's determination to take a more aggressive approach to the next Unite the Right rally. It discloses how the group issued a national appeal to the clergy to come to Charlottesville to oppose and confront the national white supremacist rally.