London groups hold solidarity rally with Charlottesville against hate

Several London human rights groups are planning a solidarity rally at Victoria Park following a deadly car attack in Charlottesville, Va., on Saturday.

The Council of Canadians and People for Peace are set to gather Wednesday at 6 p.m. to stand with anti-racism protesters who attended a white nationalist rally that left one woman dead and 19 people injured.

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David Heap, the peace and human rights chair for the council, said organizers want to send a clear message to hate groups across the border.

"We value all cultures, we value all people and we embrace all of our differences," he said. "We need to note that racist groups, xenophobic groups, intolerant groups show up in our community as well."

"We have to be vigilant here and send a message that London, and the community as a whole, really doesn't accept that."

Demonstrations in London

Last month, members of both human rights organizations showed up to a rally held by anti-Islamic groups who were gathered in front of city hall.

The Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West (PEGIDA) is set to congregate late this month, with counter-protests organized by both human rights groups, among others.

Mike Roy, an organizer with People for Peace, said activists should consider extra safety precautions.

"We are afraid that some sort of thing like (the incident in Charlotteville) will happen and that's why we're holding these counter protests, and that's why we're trying to educate people with what's going on," he said. "The last thing we want is for people to get hurt,"

Heap said the organizers will increase safety measures for the gathering planned later in August.

PEGIDA was unavailable for comment.