Charlottesville and the 'War Against Public Space'

A think-piece published by CityLab argues that public space, and the ideals it embodies, are under threat from the racist groups that gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend.

1 minute read

August 15, 2017, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Charlottesville Downtown mall

The Charlottesville Downtown Mall in peaceful times. | littleny / Shutterstock

Kriston Capps penned a think-piece on the "Unite the Right" protests in Charlottesville over the weekend—arguing that the protests represent an attack on the role of public space in a democratic society.

Capps expands the consequences of the vehicular attack on a group of counter protestors on Saturday:

The attack also threatens public space, an amenity that is both scarce and necessary for democracy. The idea of the public square is under attack. And the extremist alt-right is waging a campaign to shut down the public square, using both violence and intimidation, especially under open-carry laws.

Capps details the history of public space as a legal concept, especially one central to the idea of democracy. Charlottesville's Downtown Mall, as designed by Lawrence Halprin, is excellent example of the public square, and it's has "been the site of regular protests since last year, when the city declared its intent to remove a Confederate statue celebrating Robert E. Lee," according to Capps.

Capps argues that the alt-right attack on public space has another weapon to "chill free speech": open carry. "A public square is not possible in states with open-carry laws," argues Capps, noting that Virginia is one example of states that have "ceded law enforcement authority to racist provocateurs."

Sunday, August 13, 2017 in CityLab

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

View of passengers on transit bus at night.

Opinion: Transit Agencies Must View Service Cuts as Last Resort

Reducing service could cripple transit systems by pushing more riders to consider car ownership, making future recovery even less certain.

30 minutes ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Man sitting on bench sillhouetted against golden hour trees in tranquil park.

‘Smart Surfaces’ Policy Guide Offers Advice for Building and Maintaining Urban Tree Canopies

Healthy, robust tree canopies can reduce the impacts of extreme heat and improve air quality.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

Aerial view of gold-covered New Jersey state capitol dome in Trenton, New Jersey at dusk.

New Jersey Lawsuit Targets Rent-Setting Algorithms

The state of New Jersey is taking legal action against landlords and companies that engage in what the state’s Attorney General alleges is illegal rent fixing.

2 hours ago - New Jersey Monitor