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Shocking Video Shows Car Ramming Into Pro-Confederate Protesters in US

© REUTERS / Joshua RobertsMembers of white nationalists are met by a group of counter-protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S
Members of white nationalists are met by a group of counter-protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S - Sputnik International
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A car rammed into protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, during a far right rally. Several are reportedly injured in the incident.

Thousands of white nationalists joined a rally held by Unite the Right in Emancipation Park protesting the removal of a statue honoring Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, which glorifies the era of slavery as critics say. The rally followed a night, when white nationalists organized a torch march at the University of Virginia.

Video footage suggests that the car rammed into protesters intentionally. Caution, the videos might offend sensibilities.

According to media reports, the police detained the driver, the attack will be handled as a homicide, the city's commonwealth attorney said.

The protest's declared aim is to "affirm the right of Southerners and white people to organize for their interests just like any other group is able to do, free of persecution, as well as to "unify the right-wing against a totalitarian Communist crackdown" and to protest "displacement level immigration policies" in the US and Europe. It has been massively criticized as a "white nationalist" event.

Governor of the US state of Virginia declared a state of emergency on Saturday as a rally organized by far-right activists has turned violent in Charlottesville.

"Governor [Terry] McAuliffe has declared a state of emergency to aid state response to violence at Alt-Right rally in Charlottesville."

White nationalists carry torches on the grounds of the University of Virginia, on the eve of a planned Unite The Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S - Sputnik International
Clashes Erupt at Rally Over Confederate Monument Removal in Charlottesville
"It is now clear that public safety cannot be safeguarded without additional powers, and that the mostly out-of-state protesters have come to Virginia to endanger our citizens and property. I am disgusted by the hatred, bigotry and violence these protesters have brought to our state over the past 24 hours," McAuliffe said in a statement later in the day.

The state of emergency was declared as violent clashes started between the nationalists and their opponents. According to reports, several people were injured. Media reports suggested that tear gas and armored vehicles had been used to try stop the clashes.

The ‘Unite the Right Free Speech Rally’ came 3 months after alt-right activists held a torch-lit march against the removal of Confederate statue in Charlottesville and were confronted by counter-protesters.

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