A Virginia rally of white nationalists that erupted Saturday in violent clashes with counter-protesters brought a rain of condemnation from public officials.
A Virginia rally of white nationalists that erupted Saturday in violent clashes with counter-protesters brought a rain of condemnation from public officials, including President Trump who said there is « no place for this kind of violence in America. »
Trump, while vacationing at his New Jersey golf club, addressed the unrest in Charlottesville, Va., where Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency when an alt-right protest of the city’s planned removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee turned unruly.
« We ALL must be united & condemn all that hate stands for, » Trump tweeted Saturday, as ugly images of street fighting flashed on cable television. « There is no place for this kind of violence in America. Let’s come together as one! »
First lady Melania Trump joined the president, saying that « no good comes from violence. »
« Our country encourages freedom of speech, but let’s communicate w/o hate in our hearts, » the first lady said.
The fighting, featuring clubs and bottle-throwing, followed an unusually large demonstration Friday night with white-nationalists carrying lighted torches through the streets.
« The views fueling the spectacle in Charlottesville are repugnant, » House Speaker Paul Ryan tweeted Saturday. Let it only serve to unite Americans against this kind of vile bigotry. »
Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., said the hate-fueled demonstrations were not representative of his state and the rest of the country.
« White supremacists chanting Nazi slogans aren’t Virginia or America, » Beyer said. « They are weak, ignorant, fearful people with citronella tiki torches. »
Beyer referred to Friday night’s display in which demonstrators marched with torches generally used to illuminate summertime backyard gatherings.
« Free speech may give them the right to do this but also empowers us to unite to loudly speak out against it, » said Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee.
