“The White House has defended President Donald Trump’s reaction to deadly violence over a white supremacist rally in Virginia, amid criticism he did not explicitly condemn far-right groups,” BBC News reports. “But a spokesman said his condemnation included white supremacists.”
“A woman was killed on Saturday when a car rammed into a crowd protesting against the rally in Charlottesville,” BBC News reports. “Separately, a rally organiser was chased away by protesters as he tried to give a press conference on Sunday. Jason Kessler, who organised the controversial ‘Unite the Right’ march, was heckled and booed as he blamed the police for not preventing the violence, which he also condemned.”
“Nineteen people were injured in the car-ramming incident, and another 15 people were wounded in separate clashes related to the far-right march on Saturday afternoon,” BBC News reports. “Hours after the violence erupted, Mr Trump said he condemned ‘in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry, and violence on many sides.’ ‘The hate and the division must stop right now,’ he told reporters in New Jersey, where he is on a working holiday. ‘We have to come together as Americans with love for our nation.'”
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
“But his comments did not explicitly condemn the white extremist groups involved in the rally, an omission that was strongly criticised by Republicans and Democrats alike,” BBC News reports. “The president’s national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, went further by commenting: ‘Anytime that you commit an attack against people to incite fear, it meets the definition of terrorism.’ Mr Trump’s daughter too also appeared to offer stronger condemnation than her father.”
1:2 There should be no place in society for racism, white supremacy and neo-nazis.
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) August 13, 2017
2:2 We must all come together as Americans — and be one country UNITED. #Charlottesville
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) August 13, 2017
“In response, the White House issued a statement on Sunday clarifying that Mr Trump’s condemnation had included white supremacists. ‘The president said very strongly in his statement yesterday that he condemns all forms of violence, bigotry and hatred. Of course that includes white supremacists, KKK, neo-Nazi and all extremist groups,’ a spokesperson [said],” BBC News reports. “”
On Saturday evening, Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted:
Heartbreaking scenes in #Charlottesville. Violence and racism have no place in America.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) August 12, 2017
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Note: Along with Tim Cook, many others have, of course, condemned the violence, including:
No. Not in America. We must be stronger, more determined and more united than ever. Racism and hate have no place here. #charlottesville
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 12, 2017
It's tragic and heartbreaking to see hatred and racism once again mar our great Nation with bloodshed https://t.co/bxHFY9Eprl
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) August 13, 2017
I urge the Department of Justice to immediately investigate and prosecute today's grotesque act of domestic terrorism.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) August 13, 2017
These bigots want to tear our country apart, but they will fail. America is far better than this. https://t.co/bxHFY9Eprl
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) August 13, 2017
Even as we protect free speech and assembly, we must condemn hatred, violence and white supremacy. #Charlottesville
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) August 12, 2017
As we mourn the victims of this act of terror, we must vow to defeat bigotry, racism & hatred. #Charlottesville https://t.co/SkOP1lYAyq pic.twitter.com/QujSXD7YNl
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) August 12, 2017
Very important for the nation to hear @potus describe events in #Charlottesville for what they are, a terror attack by #whitesupremacists
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) August 12, 2017
"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
The hate and bigotry witnessed in #Charlottesville does not reflect American values. I wholeheartedly oppose their actions.
— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) 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
Our hearts are with today's victims. White supremacy is a scourge. This hate and its terrorism must be confronted and defeated.
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) August 12, 2017
Now more than ever we must stand together against those who threaten our brothers and sisters.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) August 12, 2017
Our country encourages freedom of speech, but let's communicate w/o hate in our hearts. No good comes from violence. #Charlottesville
— Melania Trump 45 Archived (@FLOTUS45) August 12, 2017
Now is the time for leaders to be strong in their words & deliberate in their actions.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 12, 2017
Every minute we allow this to persist through tacit encouragement or inaction is a disgrace, & corrosive to our values.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 12, 2017
We must work together to defeat white supremacy and all forms of hatred. pic.twitter.com/F3xuVSMtOq
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) August 13, 2017