Latest Details on the Violent Clashes in Charlottesville – KTVN Channel two – Reno Tahoe Sparks News, Weather, Movie
In the wake of violent clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia Saturday, three people have died including one woman who was hit when a car plowed through a group of protesters.
The conflict began on Friday night when hundreds of white nationalists marched through the University of Virginia campus carrying torches. They were protesting plans by the city of Charlottesville to liquidate a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.
On Saturday, protesters and counter-protesters marched in the streets. Several hundred protesters were marching in a long line when the car drove into a them.
32-year-old Heather Heyer was killed in the crash. Dozens more were injured.
20-year-old James Alex Fields Jr. of Ohio was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, three counts of malicious wounding, and one count related to leaving the scene. The Associated Press reports that fields was photographed holding a shield with the emblem of ht white supremacist group. Vanguard America took to Twitter to deny that he was associated with them and wrote that shields were passed out "loosely to anyone in attendance."
Three others were arrested Saturday for disorderly conduct, attack and battery, and carrying a concealed handgun.
Charlottesville Mayor Mike Singer called the deadly crash a "terrorist attack with a car used as a weapon" Sunday morning on NBC’s "Meet the Press."
Meantime on Saturday, a state police helicopter involved in the incident crashed into the forest, leaving two troopers onboard dead. Read more on that here.
Gov. McAuliffe proclaimed a state of emergency and said via his Twitter account on Saturday morning that it was made in order "to aid state response to violence" at the rally in Charlottesville. The democratic governor spoke at a church Sunday telling that President Trump "needs to come out stronger" against the deeds of white supremacists.
President Trump condemned the violence in a news conference Saturday afternoon.
We ALL must be united & condemn all that hate stands for. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. Lets come together as one!
"We’re closely following the terrible events unfolding in Charlottesville, Virginia. We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence, on many sides," he said.
I stand with @POTUS against hate & violence. U.S is greatest when we join together & oppose those seeking to divide us. #Charlottesville https://t.co/p76Y9xQCPL
Trump said he spoke with Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe over the phone and agreed "that the hate and division must stop and it must stop right now. What is vital now is a swift restoration of law and order, and the protection of virginal lives."
This statute removal is part of a larger effort in Charlottesville to switch how the history of race is told in public places. They’ve already renamed two parks named for Lee and another confederate leader. The Lee statue remains for now after a judge agreed to a makeshift injunction blocking the removal for six months.
Governor Sandoval tweeted on Saturday that "NV stands in solidarity w/all who march against hatred & racism."
The attack in #Charlottesville is horrific & should never happen in the US. NV stands in solidarity w/ all who march against hatred & racism
Nevadans and others took to social media on Saturday after a local University of Nevada, Reno student was identified as one of the protesters. 20-year-old Reno resident Peter Cvjetanovic did react. You can read why he went to the protest, here.
The University of Nevada, Reno acknowledged the tragedy but didn’t react to to Cvejetanovic’s participation directly.
A public Facebook event is being collective for a vigil for the victims in Charlottesville. The event is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. at Downtown City Plaza. Read more on the event here.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
