The University of Virginia has banned 10 people for the role they played during the deadly white supremacist march on campus in August last year.
The decision was taken after the University Police Department’s intensive investigation found them complicit in organizing violent demonstration putting lives of community members on the line.
In August last year, a white supremacist mowed and killed Heather Heyer, who was counter-protesting at a Unite the Right rally.
“Law enforcement identified these individuals as either committing or conspiring with others to carry out acts of violence or other conduct that directly threatened the health and safety of members of the community and other people on Grounds,” Assistant Vice President and Chief of Police Tommye S. Sutton said.
“We have drawn a distinction between free speech and conduct that is aimed to intimidate others and promote violence. Such conduct and intimidation will not be tolerated.”
White supremacist Richard Spencer, who organized a rally on August 11 and gave a racist speech in front of Thomas Jefferson statue, has also been issued trespassing warning that bans his entry on campus. The university police investigation has found evidence of his involvement in the plot to carry out acts of violence during the rally.
Along with Spencer, the university has banned Benjamin Daley, Antonio Foreman, Thomas Gillen, Elliott Kline, Michael Miselis, Vasillious Pistolis, Robert Ray, Wil Smith, and Cole White from university property for next four years.
“I am grateful for the diligent efforts of law enforcement during the course of this investigation,” President Jim Ryan said. “The trespass warnings issued today reflect our commitment to ensuring the safety of our community while upholding the principles of freedom of speech and assembly.”
Virginia students had demanded the university to bar the entry of identified white supremacists present in the deadly rally last year, and waive-off the medical fees for all the survivors.