Jason Kessler
 |
Jason Kessler | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1983 (age 40–41) |
| Nationality | American |
Jason Kessler (born 1983) is the President of Unity and Security for America. He known for being the main organizer of the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Background
Prior to 2016 Kessler was virtually unknown. In November of that year, he revealed lewd and offensive tweets made by Charlottesville vice-mayor and councilman Wes Bellamy. Bellamy, who is also a teacher at Charlottesville’s Albemarle High School, first drew criticism from Kessler when he called a press conference to call for the removal of the Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville statue in March 2016. In December, Kessler began circualting a petition demanding that Bellamy resign or be removed from office.[1] In January 2017, while attempting to gain signatures for his petition Kessler was arrested for misdemeanor assault. He plead guilty and was sentenced to 50 hours of community service.[2]
Unite The Right Rally
Kessler was one of the organizers of the Unite the Right rally on August 12, 2017. The rally was a protest of the removal the the statue of Robert E. Lee, a cause Kessler had taken up a year earlier when began his crusade against Bellamy. Kessler was also involved in a smaller protest of the removal of the statue on May 14, 2017 which ended in a torch lit march. At the event he was arrested for failure to obey an officer's commands. On July 11, Kessler appeared at town hall to promote his rally, but also distance himself from another rally that was held by the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.[1]
The rally on August 12 turned violent and resulted in the death of Heather Heyer, killed by one of the rally attendees. On the day following the rally Kessler attempted to hold a news conference in front of Charlotteville city hall which was quickly overtaken by protesters. However, before ending the short news conference Kessler stated “I disavow any political violence and what happened yesterday was tragic." He also posted videos online in which he blames the city for the violence and death.[3]
References
- ^ a b "Jason Kessler". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
- ^ "Jason Kessler pleads guilty to assault charge". CBS 19 News. August 12, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
- ^ Chris Saurez (August 13, 2017). "Kessler blames city officials as news conference dissolves into chaos". The Daily Progress. Retrieved August 17, 2017.