What Next

White Supremacy on Trial in Charlottesville

Previous trials have gone after individuals; this one’s going after a movement.

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Episode Notes

It’s been more than four years since white supremacists gathered in a violent and deadly demonstration in Charlottesville, Virginia. Now, nine people are suing the organizers and groups involved with the Unite the Right rally as they try to prove the protest was a conspiracy to commit racially motivated violence. This isn’t the first time white supremacists have been taken to court—but could this trial spell real consequences?

Guest: Kathleen Belew, a historian at the University of Chicago and the author of Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America as well as A Field Guide to White Supremacy.

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Podcast production by Mary Wilson, Davis Land, Danielle Hewitt, Elena Schwartz and Carmel Delshad.

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The problem with the news right now? It’s everywhere. And each day, it can feel like we’re all just mindlessly scrolling. It’s why we created What Next. This short daily show is here to help you make sense of things. When the news feels overwhelming, we’re here to help you answer: What next? Look for new episodes every weekday morning.

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  • Mary Harris is the host and managing editor of What Next, Slate's new daily news podcast. She has reported throughout the public radio system, for NPR, Marketplace, and WNYC.