Charlottesville Violence Sees Donald Trump Pressured To Condemn White Supremacy

The US president said 'many sides' were to blame for the violence.
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Donald Trump is facing repeated calls to outright denounce white supremacy and racism after a far-right rally turned violent in the US city of Charlottesville.

Three people died - one 32-year-old woman, who was hit when a car ploughed into a crowd and two state troopers, whose helicopter crashed outside the city while responding to the situation ― and at least 35 others were injured in the Virginia city on Saturday.

But rather than specifically speaking out in criticism of members of the Ku Klux Klan, the white supremacists or the neo-Nazis who brought torches and bats to the rally, the US president blamed the unrest on “many sides.”

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!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2017

What is vital now is a swift restoration of law and order and the protection of innocent lives.#Charlottesville pic.twitter.com/DB22fgnu6L

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2017

We must remember this truth: No matter our color, creed, religion or political party, we are ALL AMERICANS FIRST. pic.twitter.com/FesMiQSKKn

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2017

Deepest condolences to the families & fellow officers of the VA State Police who died today. You're all among the best this nation produces.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2017

Condolences to the family of the young woman killed today, and best regards to all of those injured, in Charlottesville, Virginia. So sad!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2017

But many called on him to call out the problem for what it was and condemn white supremacy...

No, Mr. President. This is a provocative effort by Neo-Nazis to foment racism and hatred and create violence. Call it out for what it is. https://t.co/WibPqkLsLa

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) August 12, 2017

Mr. President - we must call evil by its name. These were white supremacists and this was domestic terrorism. https://t.co/PaPNiPPAoW

— Cory Gardner (@SenCoryGardner) August 12, 2017

New, from Hallmark: platitudes for the Nazi mob in YOUR life. https://t.co/epERhIY8sw

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 12, 2017

Did Trump really say that he condemns the violence on "many sides"? The white folks with tiki torches brought the violence, own it.

— deray mckesson (@deray) August 12, 2017

Trump can't even say neo-Nazis are bad without both-sidesing it and he can't even do THAT without bragging about himself

— Patrick Monahan (@pattymo) August 12, 2017

Trump: "I'm not afraid to say it, Radical. Islamic. Terror."

How about White Supremacy?
Nope. 🤔

— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) August 12, 2017

Although the president himself failed to call a spade a spade, many other conservative political figures did manage it...

The white supremacists and their bigotry do not represent our great country. All Americans should condemn this vile hatred. #Charlottesville

— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) August 12, 2017

"White supremacy" crap is worst kind of racism-it's EVIL and perversion of God's truth to ever think our Creator values some above others.

— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) August 12, 2017

The views fueling the spectacle in Charlottesville are repugnant. Let it only serve to unite Americans against this kind of vile bigotry.

— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) August 12, 2017

Nothing patriotic about #Nazis,the #KKK or #WhiteSupremacists It's the direct opposite of what #America seeks to be. #Charlotesville

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) August 12, 2017

I urge the Department of Justice to immediately investigate and prosecute this grotesque act of domestic terrorism. pic.twitter.com/AwJLsfUEHl

— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) August 13, 2017

Former US president Barack Obama took a different tack, sharing a quote from Nelson Mandela...

"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion..." pic.twitter.com/InZ58zkoAm

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 13, 2017

"People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love..."

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 13, 2017

"...For love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite." - Nelson Mandela

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 13, 2017

Following the violence on Saturday, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe told the far-right supporters to “go home”.

He said: “I have a message to all the white supremacists and the Nazis who came into Charlottesville today.

“Our message is plain and simple: Go home. You are not wanted in this great commonwealth.

“Shame on you.

“You pretend that you are patriots but you are anything but a patriot.”

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