Organizer Drops Bid For Anniversary Neo-Nazi Rally

USA Today reports:

The man behind last year’s Unite the Right rally who is suing this Virginia city in an attempt to again gather with white nationalists on the anniversary of the deadly protests unexpectedly gave up his cause in a bizarre hearing Tuesday.

After arriving nearly 45 minutes late at the city’s federal courthouse, Jason Kessler only stayed in the courtroom for about a minute before withdrawing a request that the city of Charlottesville grant him a permit for another rally on Aug. 11, a request the city had originally denied that sparked a lawsuit in earlier this year.

Claps and some light cheering broke out after U.S. District Judge Norman Moon dismissed the request, but many were left surprised and wondering about Kessler’s sudden change of heart. “I think the city is very relieved with the outcome,” John Longstreth, an attorney for Charlottesville said as he was leaving the courthouse.