KEY POINTS

  • Self-proclaimed leader of white supremacist group was charged after driving truck toward protesters in Virginia
  • Harry Rogers "admitted" to lead Ku Klux Klan and "propagandist for Confederate ideology"
  • Rogers was charged with attempted malicious wounding, felony vandalism and assault and battery
  • No one was seriously injured during the incident 

The man accused of driving his truck through a group of peaceful protesters in Virginia “admitted” to be the leader of the Ku Klux Klan and a “propagandist for Confederate ideology.”

36-year-old Harry Rogers was charged with attempted malicious wounding, felony vandalism and assault and battery after he “recklessly” drove his pickup truck towards demonstrators who gathered for a Black Lives Matter march in Richmond Sunday (June 7).

Several witnesses said the vehicle “revved their engine and drove through the protesters occupying the roadway,” a Henrico County Police Division spokesperson told WTVR.

The march's organizer, who wanted to remain anonymous, said that there were around 300 people and many of them brought their children or were elderly.

Protestors hold up signs on the graffiti-covered pedestal of a statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Virginia
Protestors hold up signs on the graffiti-covered pedestal of a statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Virginia AFP / Ryan M. Kelly

Rogers, a resident of Hanover, Virginia, was arrested. The person who alerted authorities about the incident was checked by EMS at the scene and “refused further treatment. No one was seriously injured physically, the network added.

“While I am grateful that the victim's injuries do not appear to be serious, an attack on peaceful protesters is heinous and despicable and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” said Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor, through CNN.

She added that protesters who are acting “peaceably” and are well within their constitutional rights of assembly “should not have to fear violence.”

“I promise that this egregious criminal act will not go unpunished,” Taylor pointed.

Roger's admission and having a “cursory glance” at his social media account also prompted an investigation on whether the suspect should also face hate crime charges.

WTVR pointed out that Rogers admitted to his affiliation with the white supremacist group in a jailhouse interview with CBS 6 assignment manager Robert Hughes, although he denied this to the police and even “questioned his arrest.”

The suspect said he revved his engine and drove to the median to escape the ongoing protest.

Rogers is being held without bail in a Henrico County jail. He made his first court appearance Monday and is scheduled for an August 18 court hearing. NBC News said it wasn't clear if the suspect entered a plea while his legal counsel, George Townsend, didn't immediately respond when he was requested for a comment.

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