Rally in Monterey after Charlottesville Violence

Here on the Central Coast, organizers put together a rally attracting attention from drivers on one popular Monterey Road.

The group that put on Monday’s rally says they organized it to show opposition to white supremacy.

Though not everyone who came out today is part of this group, all agreed that the tragedy in Charlottesville should have never happened.

“I don’t think hate speech is the same as free speech,” said Michael Fredericksen.

Fredericksen is part of Direct Action Monterey Network.

The group that put together Monday’s Rally, protesting this weekend’s violence in Virginia.

“The alt-right and white supremacists movements in the United States are organizing a violent movement, they’re not organizing just to spread a message so we stand against their entire movement,” said Fredericksen

Dozens stood on the overpass above Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey, carrying signs.

“We saw a lot of people were doing other local demonstrations and we thought we should do one in Monterey,” Fredericksen said.

Just one of many that have already taken place on the Central Coast. Also present at the rally was law enforcement.

“We just want to ensure that everybody who comes out today is given the opportunity to peacefully assemble and express their First Amendment rights and that there aren’t any issues no matter which side of the spectrum that you’re on,” said Lieutenant Ethan Andrews with the Monterey Police Department.

Not far from Monday’s rally, at CSUMB, KION caught up with Congressman Jimmy Panetta at a Town Hall Meeting.

He spoke about a number of topics including the Charlottesville Tragedy.

“We all support freedom of speech but there’s a line and it crossed well over that line this weekend and it clearly became more than just hate speech,” Panetta said.

Panetta went on to say that there is a difference between freedom of speech and domestic terrorism and that speaking out against it is the first step to putting and end to it.