The counter-protestors had a demonstration permit as well, for a park a block away. The violence didn't take place in either park, and the permits aren't a free

The counter-protestors had a demonstration permit as well, for a park a block away. The violence didn't take place in either park, and the permits aren't a free pass for violence, so the permits are entirely irrelevant. Only one side killed someone in a domestic terror incident (according to the mayor of Charlottesville).