Trump condemns – hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides – in Charlottesville

Trump condemns ‘hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides’ in Charlottesville

The president condemned the violence, calling it an egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on “many sides”

The president condemned the violence, calling it an egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on “many sides”

The president condemned the violence, calling it an egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on “many sides”

A car plowed into a crowd of people in a college town during a violent day in which three people died and at least thirty five were sent to hospitals.

An unlawful assembly and state of emergency were proclaimed Saturday as demonstrators clashed on the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, ahead of a “Unite the Right” rally. Hundreds of white nationalists and other right-wing groups battled with counter-protesters, as President Donald Trump and other public figures decried the violence.

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An eyewitness said the car backed up to build up more speed before driving into the crowd. Another witness told the ACLU of Virginia that a protester threw a rock at a gray Ford Mustang, which then turned back to hit people on a sidewalk.

Matt Korbon, a 22-year-old University of Virginia student, said counter-protesters were marching when “abruptly there was just this tire screeching sound.” A silver sedan smashed into another car, then backed up, plowing through “a sea of people.”

A Virginia State Police spokesperson said the injuries ranged in severity from life-threatening to minor. Charlottesville Police Chief Al Thomas said the crash killed a 32-year-old woman at an intersection where she was crossing the street.

University of Virginia Health System said that twenty patients were brought there after the incident. The health system said on Saturday evening that five people are in critical condition, four in serious condition and ten others in fair or good condition.

The president also voiced his condolences to the youthfull woman killed.

Condolences to the family of the youthful woman killed today, and best regards to all of those injured, in Charlottesville, Virginia. So sad!

A state police helicopter that was assisting the events in Charlottesville also crashed outside the city in a wooded area, killing two state troopers.

The driver, James Alex Fields Jr., a 20-year-old who recently moved to Ohio from where he grew up in Kentucky, was charged with second-degree murder and other counts.

The crash happened about two hours after violent clashes broke out inbetween white nationalists, who descended on the town to rally against the city’s plans to liquidate a statue of the Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, and others who arrived to protest the racism.

Field’s mother, Samantha Bloom, told The Associated Press on Saturday night that she knew her son was attending a rally in Virginia but didn’t know it was a white supremacist rally.

“I thought it had something to do with Trump. Trump’s not a white supremacist,” said Bloom, who became visibly upset as she learned of the injuries and deaths at the rally

“He had an African-American friend so . ” she said before her voice trailed off. She added that she’d be astonished if her son’s views were that far right.

Fields’ arrest capped off hours of unrest. Hundreds of people threw punches, hurled water bottles and extracted chemical spills. Some came ready for a fight, with bod armor and helmets. Movies that ricocheted around the world on social media demonstrated people hitting each other with plunges and shields.

The city said fifteen other people were injured that related to the downtown rally.

Three other guys were also arrested during the day of violent clashes.

The Virginia State Police announced late Saturday that Troy Dunigan, a 21-year-old from Chattanooga, Tennessee, was charged with disorderly conduct; Jacob L. Smith, a 21-year-old from Louisa, Virginia, was charged with attack and battery; and James M. O’Brien, 44, of Gainesville, Florida, was charged with carrying a concealed handgun.

Trump also said he’s spoken with Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe. The president said, “We agreed that the hate and the division must stop and must stop right now.”

The president also said Americans must come together “with love for our nation . and true affection for each other.” He also said he wants the country to explore the situation in Charlottesville and understand why events like these happen.

University of Virginia Medical Center spokeswoman Angela Taylor confirmed that one person died, and no other details were instantaneously available.

Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer said he is heartbroken over the loss of life.

I am heartbroken that a life has been lost here. I urge all people of good will–go home.

Violent clashes occur Friday, Saturday

Previously, a scuffle occurred Friday night inbetween torch-bearing demonstrators and counter-protesters at the nearby University of Virginia. Right-wing blogger Jason Kessler had called for what he termed a “pro-white” rally to protest the Charlottesville’s decision to eliminate a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from a downtown park.

The violence continued Saturday, with people throwing punches, bottles and chemical sploogs at each other. Police in riot gear had to break up the melees.

Shortly before noon, the scheduled begin of the rally at the college town’s Emancipation Park, authorities proclaimed it an unlawful assembly. A Virginia statute says “whenever three or more persons assembled share the common intent to advance some lawful or unlawful purpose bu the commission of an act or acts of unlawful force or violence likely to jeopardize gravely public safety, peace or order.”

Protesters gather at Justice Park in Charlottesville #cvilleaug12 pic.twitter.com/sprSzf0MTP

A helicopter, evidently connected with state police, also crashed near the area, according to reports.

Group sings, another chants ‘blood and soil’

At one point, a few dozen white guys wearing helmets and holding makeshift shields chanted, “Blood and soil!” Nearby, a group of clergy and other counter-demonstrators, including activist and Harvard professor Cornel West, held forearms, begged and sang, “This Little Light of Mine.”

Ahead of Saturday’s rally, tensions roiled Friday night as white nationalists – some holding what appeared to be backyard tiki-style torches – marched onto the University of Virginia’s campus.

Chanting, “Blood and soil” and “You will not substitute us,” the group rallied around a statue of Thomas Jefferson before they clashed with counter-protesters, CNN affiliate WWBT reported. The group left the university’s grounds when police arrived and proclaimed the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Signer, the mayor, also released a statement referring to Friday’s rally as a “cowardly parade of hatred, bigotry, racism, and intolerance march down the lawns of the architect of our Bill of Rights.”

“Everyone has a right under the Very first Amendment to express their opinion peaceably, so here’s mine: not only as the Mayor of Charlottesville, but as a UVA faculty member and alumnus, I am beyond disgusted by this unsanctioned and despicable display of visual intimidation on a college campus,” he added.

Kessler said he doesn’t consider himself to be a white nationalist. But, he said, “we’re going to embark standing up for our history.”

“The statue itself is symbolic of a lot of larger issues. The primary three issues are preserving history against this censorship and revisionism – this political correctness,” he told CNN Friday.

“The 2nd issue is being permitted to advocate for your interests as a white person, just like other groups are permitted to advocate for their interests politically. And ultimately this is about free speech. We are simply attempting to express ourselves and do a demonstration, and the local government has attempted to shut us down.”

CNN and The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Trump condemns – hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides – in Charlottesville

Trump condemns ‘hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides’ in Charlottesville

The president condemned the violence, calling it an egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on “many sides”

The president condemned the violence, calling it an egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on “many sides”

The president condemned the violence, calling it an egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on “many sides”

A car plowed into a crowd of people in a college town during a violent day in which three people died and at least thirty five were sent to hospitals.

An unlawful assembly and state of emergency were proclaimed Saturday as demonstrators clashed on the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, ahead of a “Unite the Right” rally. Hundreds of white nationalists and other right-wing groups battled with counter-protesters, as President Donald Trump and other public figures decried the violence.

Related Content

An eyewitness said the car backed up to build up more speed before driving into the crowd. Another witness told the ACLU of Virginia that a protester threw a rock at a gray Ford Mustang, which then turned back to hit people on a sidewalk.

Matt Korbon, a 22-year-old University of Virginia student, said counter-protesters were marching when “all of a sudden there was just this tire screeching sound.” A silver sedan smashed into another car, then backed up, plowing through “a sea of people.”

A Virginia State Police spokesperson said the injuries ranged in severity from life-threatening to minor. Charlottesville Police Chief Al Thomas said the crash killed a 32-year-old woman at an intersection where she was crossing the street.

University of Virginia Health System said that twenty patients were brought there after the incident. The health system said on Saturday evening that five people are in critical condition, four in serious condition and ten others in fair or good condition.

The president also voiced his condolences to the youthful woman killed.

Condolences to the family of the youthful woman killed today, and best regards to all of those injured, in Charlottesville, Virginia. So sad!

A state police helicopter that was assisting the events in Charlottesville also crashed outside the city in a wooded area, killing two state troopers.

The driver, James Alex Fields Jr., a 20-year-old who recently moved to Ohio from where he grew up in Kentucky, was charged with second-degree murder and other counts.

The crash happened about two hours after violent clashes broke out inbetween white nationalists, who descended on the town to rally against the city’s plans to eliminate a statue of the Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, and others who arrived to protest the racism.

Field’s mother, Samantha Bloom, told The Associated Press on Saturday night that she knew her son was attending a rally in Virginia but didn’t know it was a white supremacist rally.

“I thought it had something to do with Trump. Trump’s not a white supremacist,” said Bloom, who became visibly upset as she learned of the injuries and deaths at the rally

“He had an African-American friend so . ” she said before her voice trailed off. She added that she’d be astonished if her son’s views were that far right.

Fields’ arrest capped off hours of unrest. Hundreds of people threw punches, hurled water bottles and extracted chemical rockets. Some came ready for a fight, with bod armor and helmets. Movies that ricocheted around the world on social media showcased people striking each other with tucks and shields.

The city said fifteen other people were injured that related to the downtown rally.

Three other guys were also arrested during the day of violent clashes.

The Virginia State Police announced late Saturday that Troy Dunigan, a 21-year-old from Chattanooga, Tennessee, was charged with disorderly conduct; Jacob L. Smith, a 21-year-old from Louisa, Virginia, was charged with attack and battery; and James M. O’Brien, 44, of Gainesville, Florida, was charged with carrying a concealed handgun.

Trump also said he’s spoken with Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe. The president said, “We agreed that the hate and the division must stop and must stop right now.”

The president also said Americans must come together “with love for our nation . and true affection for each other.” He also said he wants the country to examine the situation in Charlottesville and understand why events like these happen.

University of Virginia Medical Center spokeswoman Angela Taylor confirmed that one person died, and no other details were instantaneously available.

Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer said he is heartbroken over the loss of life.

I am heartbroken that a life has been lost here. I urge all people of good will–go home.

Violent clashes occur Friday, Saturday

Previously, a scuffle occurred Friday night inbetween torch-bearing demonstrators and counter-protesters at the nearby University of Virginia. Right-wing blogger Jason Kessler had called for what he termed a “pro-white” rally to protest the Charlottesville’s decision to eliminate a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from a downtown park.

The violence continued Saturday, with people throwing punches, bottles and chemical unloads at each other. Police in riot gear had to break up the melees.

Shortly before noon, the scheduled commence of the rally at the college town’s Emancipation Park, authorities proclaimed it an unlawful assembly. A Virginia statute says “whenever three or more persons assembled share the common intent to advance some lawful or unlawful purpose bu the commission of an act or acts of unlawful force or violence likely to jeopardize earnestly public safety, peace or order.”

Protesters gather at Justice Park in Charlottesville #cvilleaug12 pic.twitter.com/sprSzf0MTP

A helicopter, evidently connected with state police, also crashed near the area, according to reports.

Group sings, another chants ‘blood and soil’

At one point, a few dozen white guys wearing helmets and holding makeshift shields chanted, “Blood and soil!” Nearby, a group of clergy and other counter-demonstrators, including activist and Harvard professor Cornel West, held palms, begged and sang, “This Little Light of Mine.”

Ahead of Saturday’s rally, tensions roiled Friday night as white nationalists – some holding what appeared to be backyard tiki-style torches – marched onto the University of Virginia’s campus.

Chanting, “Blood and soil” and “You will not substitute us,” the group rallied around a statue of Thomas Jefferson before they clashed with counter-protesters, CNN affiliate WWBT reported. The group left the university’s grounds when police arrived and announced the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Signer, the mayor, also released a statement referring to Friday’s rally as a “cowardly parade of hatred, bigotry, racism, and intolerance march down the lawns of the architect of our Bill of Rights.”

“Everyone has a right under the Very first Amendment to express their opinion peaceably, so here’s mine: not only as the Mayor of Charlottesville, but as a UVA faculty member and alumnus, I am beyond disgusted by this unsanctioned and despicable display of visual intimidation on a college campus,” he added.

Kessler said he doesn’t consider himself to be a white nationalist. But, he said, “we’re going to embark standing up for our history.”

“The statue itself is symbolic of a lot of larger issues. The primary three issues are preserving history against this censorship and revisionism – this political correctness,” he told CNN Friday.

“The 2nd issue is being permitted to advocate for your interests as a white person, just like other groups are permitted to advocate for their interests politically. And ultimately this is about free speech. We are simply attempting to express ourselves and do a demonstration, and the local government has attempted to shut us down.”

CNN and The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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