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Image: Clergy observe a moment of silence during the memorial service for Heather Heyer outside the Paramount Theater

U.S. news

Mourners Honor Heather Heyer in Charlottesville

About a 1,000 people gathered at a memorial service for 32-year-old Heather Heyer, killed Saturday during violent protests in Virginia.

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Image: Clergy observe a moment of silence during the memorial service for Heather Heyer

Clergy observe a moment of silence for Heather Heyer outside the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville on Aug. 16. 

Heyer was among the hundreds of protesters who had gathered Saturday in Charlottesville to decry what was believed to be the largest gathering of white supremacists in a decade — including neo-Nazis, skinheads and Ku Klux Klan members. They descended on the city for a rally prompted by the city's decision to remove a Confederate monument.

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Image: Supporters gather on the pedestrian mall outside the Paramount Theater during a memorial service for Heather Heyer

Supporters carry signs outside the memorial service.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Image: Susan Bro, mother to Heather Heyer, speaks during a memorial for her daughter

Susan Bro, Heyer's mother speaks at the podium. 

"I miss her so, so much, but I'm going to make her death worth something," Bro told The Associated Press.

RELATED: ‘I Always Encouraged Her to Be Strong,’ Says Mother of Charlottesville Victim Heather Heyer

Andrew Shurtleff / The Daily Progress pool
Image: Marcus Martin, hugs his fianc? Marissa Blair as Susan Bro becomes emotional during a memorial for Heather Heyer

Marcus Martin, second left, and his fiance Marissa Blair cry as Heyer's mother Susan Bro, right, becomes emotional. Martin pushed his fiance out of the way of the vehicle that killed Heyer. 

Counter-protesters had converged for a march along a downtown street when suddenly a Dodge Challenger barreled into them, hurling people into the air. Video shows the car reversing and hitting more people.

Andrew Shurtleff / The Daily Progress pool
Image: Susan Bro, mother to Heather Heyer, speaks during a memorial for her daughter

Susan Bro described her daughter as a courageous, principled woman and firm believer in justice and equality.

Andrew Shurtleff / The Daily Progress Pool
Image: Mark Heyer, the father of Heather Heyer, gets emotional during a memorial service for his daughter

Heather Heyer's father Mark Heyer gets emotional. "Heather's passion extended to her ideas and her thoughts. She could tell if someone wasn't being straight with her and she'd call them on it," he said.

Andrew Shurtleff / The Daily Progress pool
Image: A sign on the statue of Robert E. Lee calls for the park to be renamed for Heather Heyer, who was killed at in a far-right rally, in Charlottesville, Virginia

A sign on the statue of Robert E. Lee calls for the park to be renamed for Heather Heyer.

Joshua Roberts / Reuters
Image: Artist Sam Welty creates a chalk mural of Heather Heyer during her memorial service

Artist Sam Welty creates a chalk mural of Heyer.

Julia Rendleman / AP
Image: People gather near a memorial for Heather Heyer

People hug as they gather near the memorial.

PHOTOS: State of Emergency in Charlottesville, Virginia

Evan Vucci / AP
Image: Jason Charter of Washington, left, stands at the site where Heather Heyer was killed

Jason Charter of Washington, left, who was at the scene when the car rammed into the crowd of people protesting the rally, stands at the site where Heyer was killed.

Evan Vucci / AP
Image: A photo of Heather Heyer, who was killed during a white nationalist rally, sits on the ground at a memorial

Heyer grew up in nearby Greene County and worked as a legal assistant at a law firm. Her boss, Larry Miller, said the young woman was active in the firm's bankruptcy practice and was like a family member to him. 

"She's very compassionate, she's very precise, got a big heart, she wants to make sure that things are right. She cares about the people that we take care of. She's just a great person," Miller said.

Evan Vucci / AP
Image: Clergy observe a moment of silence during the memorial service for Heather Heyer outside the Paramount Theater

Clergy observe a moment of silence outside the Paramount Theater.

PHOTOS: Violence in Charlottesville Sparks Outrage Around U.S.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
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