The Cavalier Daily
Serving the University Community Since 1890

U.Va. spent $422K on Unite the Right anniversary

The allocated funds do not include expenses at the U.Va. Health System

Protesters gather outside the Rotunda to protest the police presence on Aug. 11, 2018.
Protesters gather outside the Rotunda to protest the police presence on Aug. 11, 2018.

Over the one-year anniversary weekend for the violent white nationalist rallies last Aug. 11 and 12, the University spent $422,981 for labor, equipment, lodging, meals, training and transportation, according to University Spokesperson Anthony de Bruyn. This does not include any costs incurred by the University Health System.

The University paid $259,227 for labor and overtime, $24,612 for equipment, $37,853 for meals and $101,289 for lodging, training and transportation. Virginia State Police spent $3.1 million over the anniversary weekend, according to a spokesperson. 

Labor and meal-related expenses have been submitted to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management for reimbursement.

University Police Department officers and other law enforcement personnel had a significant presence at an on-Grounds demonstration held by U.Va. Students United. The rally was initially slated to take place on the North Plaza of the Rotunda — where torch-carrying white supremacists encircled and attacked students and activists the year before — but the group, frustrated with the heavy police presence, moved the protest to Brooks Hall, then eventually to Lambeth Field.

The high police presence came after law enforcement did not intervene to stop white supremacist violence in August 2017. An independent report in 2017 called the response inadequate. A large number of officers stayed in Lambeth Field Apartments, to the dismay of some residents and activists, who said the University did not inform them of the plans.

Local Savings

Comments

Latest Video

Latest Podcast

Ahead of Lighting of the Lawn, Riley McNeill and Chelsea Huffman, co-chairs of the Lighting of the Lawn Committee and fourth-year College students, and Peter Mildrew, the president of the Hullabahoos and third-year Commerce student, discuss the festive tradition which brings the community together year after year. From planning the event to preparing performances, McNeil, Huffman and Mildrew elucidate how the light show has historically helped the community heal in the midst of hardship.