WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Ryan argued the threat of hatred is much bigger than the political furor that has dominated US media reports since the August 12 clashes in Charlottesville, in which a counter-protester to a white nationalist rally was killed.
"The immediate condemnations from left, right, and center affirmed that there is no confusion about right and wrong here," the statement intoned. "There are no sides. There is no other argument. We will not tolerate this hateful ideology in our society."
Ryan said that he firmly believes that hate exists only on the fringes, adding that anger from both sides is needs to be openly discussed.
Ryan's statement comes as US President Donald Trump has been criticized for lack of condemnation of the violence in Charlottesville.
Despite condemning white supremacists, neo-Nazis and KKK two days after the Charlottesville violence, Trump later said that one side was bad, while the other, "was also very violent."
Many people were upset with US President Donald Trump's "both sides" statement on the violent protests.
A major rally of white nationalists protesting the removal of a statue honoring Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee took place on August 12, in Charlottesville. The protest campaign subsequently led to violent clashes between the demonstrators and counter-protesters. During the clashes between the two camps, a car rammed into the crowd and caused multiple injuries among the counter-demonstrators.
