Politicians Condemn Hate, Violence In Wake Of White Supremacist Rally

Hilary Hanson
Updated

As white supremacists descended on Charlottesville, Virginia, on Friday and Saturday in what they called a “Unite the Right” rally, local and national politicians have spoken out against hate and violence.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) declared a state of emergency, as violent clashes erupted between white supremacists and anti-fascist protesters.

Late Saturday afternoon, a man drove a car into a crowd, killing a 32-year-old woman who was attending a counter-protest because she wanted to fight injustice. At least 19 other people were injured.

Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, who won the Virginia Democratic gubernatorial primary over progressive hopeful Tom Perriello in June, released a statement ahead of the rally condemning white supremacists and asking others not to respond with violence.

“White supremacists have descended upon Charlottesville again to evoke a reaction as ugly and violent as their beliefs ― just as they did before, I am urging Virginians to deny them the satisfaction,” the statement reads.

GOP gubernatorial nominee Ed Gillespie also denounced the rally.

Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, spoke out against the rally on Twitter Saturday morning.

However, Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) shot back, suggesting that the GOP should be taking more responsibility for what was happening.

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Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) were among the many politicians who weighed in.

President Donald Trump addressed the events of the day, but drew criticism for failing to call out white supremacy or racism specifically. He tweeted against “hate” and “violence,” but also blamed “many sides” for the day’s events.

But as local and national politicians largely opted to, at least to some degree, denounce the hate and violence seen at the rally, there was one notable exception.

Corey Stewart, a conservative who ran against Ed Gillespie in the Virginia’s gubernatorial Republican primary, posted live video to Facebook Saturday evening in which he attacked “democrats” and “the media” for never condemning violence from what he called “the unhinged left.” He added that he believed those same people would use the Saturday’s events as an excuse to crack down on “conservative speech.”

Stewart’s previously had vocally opposed the removal of a Robert E. Lee monument that was ostensibly the spark for the rally in the first place. The gathering was originally billed as being in opposition to the removal of the monument to the Confederate general.

It drew extreme far-right figures like white nationalist Richard Spencer and former KKK leader David Duke. People who showed up to counter protest the rally included Antifa, a radical anti-fascist group. Though the rally was slated to begin at noon Saturday, demonstrators were already out in force Saturday morning, displaying Confederate flags, Nazi symbols and chanting “blood and soil” and “Fuck you, faggots.” There were also heated confrontations Friday night.

This story has been updated to reflect that Corey Stewart commented on the rally.

Also on HuffPost

Neo-Nazis and white supremacists encircle and chant at counter-protesters at the base of a Thomas Jefferson statue on Aug. 11, 2017, after marching with torches through the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Neo-Nazis and white supremacists encircle and chant at counter-protesters at the base of a Thomas Jefferson statue on Aug. 11, 2017, after marching with torches through the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Neo-Nazis and white supremacists take part in the "Unite the Right" rally.
Neo-Nazis and white supremacists take part in the "Unite the Right" rally.
The group marched through the University of Virginia campus with torches.
The group marched through the University of Virginia campus with torches.
A man wears Nazi regalia before the "Unite the Right" rally.
A man wears Nazi regalia before the "Unite the Right" rally.
Counter-protesters arrive at the "Unite the Right" rally.
Counter-protesters arrive at the "Unite the Right" rally.
White supremacists carry Nazi flags on Aug. 12, 2017.
White supremacists carry Nazi flags on Aug. 12, 2017.
A white supremacist carries the Confederate flag as he walks past counter-demonstrators.
A white supremacist carries the Confederate flag as he walks past counter-demonstrators.
White nationalists march through the street.
White nationalists march through the street.
A sign on a business in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia.
A sign on a business in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia.
Police arrive at the scene of protests after a state of emergency is announced in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Police arrive at the scene of protests after a state of emergency is announced in Charlottesville, Virginia.
A man is down during a clash between white nationalist protesters and a group of counter-protesters.
A man is down during a clash between white nationalist protesters and a group of counter-protesters.
White nationalists and counter-protesters clash.
White nationalists and counter-protesters clash.
A protester receives first-aid during a clash between white nationalists and counter-protesters.
A protester receives first-aid during a clash between white nationalists and counter-protesters.
A man makes a slashing motion across his throat toward counter-protesters as he marches with other white nationalists and neo-Nazis during the "Unite the Right" rally.
A man makes a slashing motion across his throat toward counter-protesters as he marches with other white nationalists and neo-Nazis during the "Unite the Right" rally.
A white supremacist stands behind militia members after he scuffled with a counter-demonstrator.
A white supremacist stands behind militia members after he scuffled with a counter-demonstrator.
Virginia State Police use pepper spray as they move in during a clash between white nationalist protesters and counter-protesters.
Virginia State Police use pepper spray as they move in during a clash between white nationalist protesters and counter-protesters.
Hundreds of white nationalists and neo-Nazis march down East Market Street toward Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally.
Hundreds of white nationalists and neo-Nazis march down East Market Street toward Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally.
A smoke bomb is thrown at a group of counter-protesters.
A smoke bomb is thrown at a group of counter-protesters.
Virginia State Troopers stand under a statue of Robert E. Lee. White nationalists descended on Charlottesville to protest the statue's removal.
Virginia State Troopers stand under a statue of Robert E. Lee. White nationalists descended on Charlottesville to protest the statue's removal.
Anti-fascist counter-protesters wait outside Lee Park to hurl insults as white nationalists and neo-Nazis are forced out after the "Unite the Right" rally was declared an unlawful gathering.
Anti-fascist counter-protesters wait outside Lee Park to hurl insults as white nationalists and neo-Nazis are forced out after the "Unite the Right" rally was declared an unlawful gathering.
A group of counter-protesters rally against white nationalists.
A group of counter-protesters rally against white nationalists.
A man is seen with an injury during a clash between white nationalists and counter-protesters.
A man is seen with an injury during a clash between white nationalists and counter-protesters.
Protesters and counter-protesters after being pepper-sprayed and/or maced.
Protesters and counter-protesters after being pepper-sprayed and/or maced.
David Duke (C), participates in the white nationalist rally.
David Duke (C), participates in the white nationalist rally.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.