Virginia Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency Saturday after violent clashes between white supremacists and counter protesters in Charlottesville.
White supremacist and white nationalist groups converged on Emancipation Park, formerly Lee Park, for a planned “Unite the Right” rally. The group was met by Black Lives Matter, Antifa, and other leftist groups where confrontations turned violent.
President Donald Trump took to Twitter to denounce the violence.
Multiple arrests were made and dozens of protesters were injured before police declared a state of emergency.
Members of the white supremacist movement push back against police in Charlottesville (Ted Goodman, TheDCNF)
A state militia member watches as faith leaders sing “this little light of mine” over his shoulder. (Henry Rodgers, TheDCNF)
Virginia State Police arrest a counter protestor in Charlottesville. (Henry Rodgers, TheDCNF)
A member of the white supremacist movement is treated for tear gas in Charlottesville, Va. (Henry Rodgers, TheDCNF)
A Charlottesville police cruiser doused in pink paint. (Henry Rodgers, TheDCNF)
A member of the white supremacist movement appears bloodied following a violent confrontation with counter protesters in Charlottesville. (Henry Rodgers, TheDCNF)
Dr. Cornel West appeared at the rally Saturday morning with faith leaders (Henry Rodgers, TheDCNF)
Antifa and other counter-protesters clash with state militia members and white supremacists in Charlottesville (Henry Rodgers, TheDCNF)
Businesses in the area closed down for the day due to the protest. (Ted Goodman/TheDCNF)
In addition to the white supremacists and the radical leftist groups, various state militias were present. When interviewed by The Daily Caller News Foundation, the militia groups states that they were not choosing sides, and that they were present in order to protect everyone’s First Amendment rights.
Police remained at a high state of readiness into the afternoon hours.
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Source: The Daily Caller
