"We condemn in the strongest possible terms this this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides, on many sides. It has been going on for a long time in our country — not Donald Trump, not Barack Obama. It has been going on for a long, long time. It has no place in America," Trump said in a video statement.
According to Trump, a swift restoration of law and order and the protection of innocent lives is "vital now."
The president added that the federal authorities are ready to provide all necessary assistance to local government to cope with this situation.
Earlier in the day, the governor of the US state of Virginia declared a state of emergency as thousands of white nationalists joined a violent 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.
Armored vehicles and tear gas it looks like. Cops clearing the park #Charlottesville pic.twitter.com/SCGYTorTyY
— Christopher Mathias (@letsgomathias) August 12, 2017
Absent from photo: cops in riot gear, tear gas, german shephards, paramilitary vehicles…🤔 #Charlottesville pic.twitter.com/R1jbLF2jCR
— Lisa McDermott (@libertyposse) August 12, 2017
According to the city authorities, the violent clashes between far-right nationalists and counter-protesters have left at least one person dead and over 30 injured so far.
