It has been just over a year since we saw neo-Nazis descend upon Charlottesville, Virginia in full force. In a moral low point for modern U.S. history, the so-called United the Right rally led to many deplorable events, including the death of Heather Hayer and Donald Trump equating anti-fascist activists to the literal Nazis antagonizing the crowds that day. Mind you that Trump has still not clarified or denounced these white supremacists, 365 days later.

Fast-forward one year later in Washington. Instead of marching in the same site as last year, Unite the Right organizers planned to demonstrate in the nation's capital. But in spite of having protesting permits in Lafayette Square and having unfettered, exclusive access to DC Metro trains, their two-dozen or so crowd was no match for the counter-protesters that outnumbered them two-to-one in areas across DC.

Last year, I wrote about the urgency that when it comes to Nazism relapsing, it is critical to speak out against hate whenever we see it. Fascism and other forms of hatred pick up steam by relying on the ignorance and silence of the many. It was how Adolf Hitler came to power. It was how Mussolini came to power. It was most certainly how Donald Trump came to power.

What we saw in DC is a testament to the claim that organizing in solidarity against these right-wing extremists works.

There is a commonality among all of us that we can all say no to vile hatred. The counter-response seen in Washington to the mere 24 neo-Nazis was the culmination of the hard work of organizing and mobilizing done by local activists. However, while this is no doubt fascinating, we need to capitalize on this momentum and keep the ball rolling in resisting white supremacy. Unlike white nationalists, the left does not have a system that embodies their views and desires. Because of this, it is critical that whenever white nationalists feel emboldened and have the need to freely demonstrate their prejudice in the streets, that we as a collective struggle punch back harder.