I. Introduction
Five years ago, on Aug. 11, and Aug. 12, 2017, the world recoiled as white supremacists descended on the streets of Charlottesville. Armed with lit torches and semi-automatic weapons, spewing venomous words and giving Nazi salutes, there was no misconstruing the objective of these protestors as they resisted the removal of a Confederate monument. Clashes with counter-protestors and the police ensued, tragically leading to multiple injuries and the death of Charlottesville resident Heather Heyer.
This fateful weekend was neither the beginning nor the end of the narrative. These events did not exist within a vacuum — the preceding debates were nothing short of contentious, and the fallout continues to be far-reaching. The Cavalier Daily was present to document each development as it took place.
Below, you will find a complete dossier of all of The Cavalier Daily’s coverage of the “Unite the Right” rally. From the first call for the removal of the Robert E. Lee statue to the convictions of the perpetrators, every article published in our paper that relates to the rally and its consequences has been compiled here in chronological order. Let this report serve as a resource to you, and trust that we aim to offer an accurate portrayal of events, highlighting numerous perspectives.
Take a moment to read through the witness accounts, the opinion pieces, the reactions, and the emotions. Today, on the fifth anniversary of the “Unite the Right” rally, let us pause to reflect and learn from this painful chapter in our history — a chapter that has yet to truly conclude. The University and the City of Charlottesville were thrust onto the world stage as a result of the violence that took place here, and the community will be forever altered by its darkness. Nevertheless, there is light to be found in these records. There is bravery in the face of hatred. There is resilience and there is progress. We must not forget these hard-fought truths.
This report is the first of many as The Cavalier Daily embarks on its archival project. As archivist, it is my intention to ensure everyone — students, alumni, faculty and community members — has access to the paper’s coverage of these critical events in our history. With this goal in mind, I am currently working with U.Va. Library to digitize our archives. It is our hope that, in the next few years, every issue of The Cavalier Daily will be available online for all to see.