White nationalist seeks to hold 'White Civil Rights Rally' near White House

WASHINGTON - An application has been submitted for a permit to hold a "White Civil Rights Rally" near the White House on the one-year anniversary of the Charlottesville rally where violent clashes broke out between white nationalists and counterprotesters.

The National Park Service said it has accepted the application from Jason Kessler, a white nationalist who was the main organizer of the "Unite the Right" rally held in Charlottesville last year.

Kessler is seeking to hold a two-day rally at Lafayette Park located nearby the White House on Aug. 11 and 12.

"The application has been approved, but the permit has not been issued," said National Park Service spokesperson Mike Litterst in an email. "We are gathering information from the organizers on the details of the event that will be used to create the permit."

Litterst also added a permit likely won't be issued until the week of the event, if at all.

According to the application, Kessler wrote that the purpose of the event is "protesting civil rights abuse in Charlottesville." Kessler also stated that 400 participants are expected for the D.C. event.

Last year, a 32-year-old woman was killed and dozens of others were injured after a car drove into a group of counterprotesters during the rally in Charlottesville that drew hundreds of white nationalists from around the country.