Man beaten in Charlottesville recalls terrifying incident

Yesterday, Charlottesville, VA would turn into a domestic terrorism scene, as many were attacked and even killed during counter protests against white nationalists “Unite The Right” rally.

Deandre Harris has become one of the faces into the harrowing incidents in Charlottesville; as his bloody image after being beat by white nationalists has circulated on social media.

Since the photos have gone viral, Harris has received overwhelming support. Though what occurred to Harris was a clear display of hate, Harris told reporters he would not let it ruin his spirits.

Speaking with reporters just hours after coming into contact with the white nationalists, the instructional assistant and aspiring music artist shared his thoughts of his injuries and what led him to the protest.

“Me and about five of my friends were out protesting. We thought [the racists] left, but at one point they came back,” he explained to The Root. “Everyone was exchanging words with the group, but then the KKK and white supremacists just rushed us.”

Harris told Hollywood Unlocked the rally was the first protest he ever attended. The 20-year-old moved to Charlottesville, VA from Suffolk, VA two years ago for a job as an Instructional Assistant for a special education program at a local high school. After he was brought to safety by friends and supporters, photographer Ian Frank captured a photo of Harris’ injuries.

Deandre Harris, Twitter

Harris was then taken to the hospital, where he was treated for a concussion, an ulnar fracture, a laceration on his right eyebrow, a chipped tooth and bruises to his knees and elbows. Harris says he doesn’t regret going to the rally to counter protest because it illuminated his commitment to civil rights.

“It was a good experience to go out there and see the real hatred and racism that exist out here,” he said. “People say they know racism, but you don’t know racism until you look a KKK member’s hatred in the eye.”

Harris plans to take legal action against the city of Charlottesville. “I’m now an active member of the Black Lives Matter movement,” he said. “If they [white nationalists] come back I will be there. The police and KKK are together. The police weren’t doing nothing out there today. This is where I call home. And seeing what I saw today, is not somewhere I want to call home.”