Friday March 29th, 2024 8:30AM

March planned in Gainesville in response to weekend events in Virginia

Echoing gatherings across the country in response to a white nationalist rally that turned deadly in Charlottesville, Virginia, a march for equality and dignity is planned Tuesday afternoon in Gainesville.
 
The campaign of Democrat Joshua McCall is organizing the event.  McCall announced a run for congress in north Georgia's 9th district earlier this year.
 
"We welcome all people of good conscience who oppose racism and bigotry," McCall wrote in an email.  "I would like to invite Republicans, independents, people of all faiths, ethnic groups, and sexual orientation to come out against this tide of ignorance and hatred in our country."
 
Marchers are expected to assemble in Roosevelt Square in Downtown Gainesville.  The march is from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
 
McCall requested anyone who brings a sign to the march to keep it, "focused on fighting hate and expressing human equality and dignity."
 
"We are leaving all other political disagreements behind for this march, because every human being is under assault when we allow any of our fellow Americans to suffer injustice because of their race, creed, gender, or sexual orientation," McCall added.
 
Meantime, a judge Monday denied bond for the Ohio man accused of plowing his car into the crowd protesting the white nationalist rally Saturday.
 
Judge Robert Downer said during a bond hearing Monday he would appoint a lawyer for James Alex Fields Jr., who is charged with second degree murder and other charges. 
 
Authorities said Fields fatally injured one woman and hurt 19 others.

Note: An earlier version of this story listed First Baptist Church on Green Street in Gainesville as the starting location. The location was changed Monday afternoon, and the story was updated to reflect that.
 
Associated Press contributed to this story.
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