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White supremacists clash with anti-fascist campaigners ahead of far-right rally in Virginia White supremacists clash with anti-fascist campaigners ahead of far-right rally in Virginia
(about 1 hour later)
One person has been killed and at least 34 others injured amid violent clashes between white supremacists and anti-fascists ahead of a rally protesting against the removal of a statue to a Confederate general in Charlottesville, Virginia. One person has been killed and dozen of others injured amid violent clashes between white supremacists and anti-fascists ahead of a rally protesting against the removal of a statue to a Confederate general in Charlottesville, Virginia.
A state of emergency was declared by the local and state governments with police declaring the gathering an unlawful assembly and ordering the crowds to disperse.A state of emergency was declared by the local and state governments with police declaring the gathering an unlawful assembly and ordering the crowds to disperse.
Some of the white supremacists were seen carrying large shields in apparent anticipation of violence ahead of the planned "Unite the Right" rally against plans to take down the statue to General Robert E Lee from a local park.Some of the white supremacists were seen carrying large shields in apparent anticipation of violence ahead of the planned "Unite the Right" rally against plans to take down the statue to General Robert E Lee from a local park.
The state police were deployed, with riot police and the National Guard waiting in the wings.The state police were deployed, with riot police and the National Guard waiting in the wings.
One person was killed when a car drove at speed into a crowd of anti-fascist protesters, leaving several people lying injured on the ground. One person was killed when a car drove at speed into anti-fascist protesters, leaving a crowd of people lying injured on the ground.
A hospital official said at least 34 people had been hurt, including 19 as a result of the car and 15 others as a result of the fighting in the streets. Hospital officials said a total of at least 41 people had been hurt, including 26 as a result of the car and 15 others from the fighting in the streets.
Graphic video showed a grey Dodge Challenger speeding up a side street into the gathered people and crashing into another car.Graphic video showed a grey Dodge Challenger speeding up a side street into the gathered people and crashing into another car.
Charlottesville police have confirmed to Buzzfeed News that the driver in question was in police custody.  Charlottesville police have confirmed that the driver in question was in police custody. 
Earlier the two groups of protesters were involved in violent clashes as pepper spray — used, reportedly, by both sides — filled the air, according to local media reports. Bottles were thrown and a number of fist fights broke out.Earlier the two groups of protesters were involved in violent clashes as pepper spray — used, reportedly, by both sides — filled the air, according to local media reports. Bottles were thrown and a number of fist fights broke out.
Charlottesville Mayor Michael Signer, who confirmed one person had been killed, said he was disappointed the white nationalists had descended on his town and blamed President Donald Trump for inflaming racial prejudices with his campaign last year.Charlottesville Mayor Michael Signer, who confirmed one person had been killed, said he was disappointed the white nationalists had descended on his town and blamed President Donald Trump for inflaming racial prejudices with his campaign last year.
"I'm not going to make any bones about it. I place the blame for a lot of what you're seeing in America today right at the doorstep of the White House and the people around the president," he said."I'm not going to make any bones about it. I place the blame for a lot of what you're seeing in America today right at the doorstep of the White House and the people around the president," he said.
Mr Trump put out a tweet condemning "violence" and "hate" - although he did not specify that he was talking about the white supremacists, attracting criticism on Twitter.Mr Trump put out a tweet condemning "violence" and "hate" - although he did not specify that he was talking about the white supremacists, attracting criticism on Twitter.
Initially there was only a small police presence around the groups of protesters.Initially there was only a small police presence around the groups of protesters.
Earlier in the day apparent militia members were filmed marching through the streets armed with assault rifles and wearing tactical gear.Earlier in the day apparent militia members were filmed marching through the streets armed with assault rifles and wearing tactical gear.
Other demonstrators were heard to chant the Nazi-linked phrase "blood and soil" as they passed through the streets.Other demonstrators were heard to chant the Nazi-linked phrase "blood and soil" as they passed through the streets.
And on Friday night neo-Nazi protesters brandishing flaming torches descended on the University of Virginia, brawling with counter-protesters and throwing Nazi salutes.And on Friday night neo-Nazi protesters brandishing flaming torches descended on the University of Virginia, brawling with counter-protesters and throwing Nazi salutes.
The state's governor, Terry McAuliffe said on Friday: "Many of the individuals coming to Charlottesville tomorrow are doing so in order to express viewpoints many people, including me, find abhorrent."The state's governor, Terry McAuliffe said on Friday: "Many of the individuals coming to Charlottesville tomorrow are doing so in order to express viewpoints many people, including me, find abhorrent."
He urged people to stay away and "deny those ideas more attention than they deserve".He urged people to stay away and "deny those ideas more attention than they deserve".
The clash is the latest in a series of confrontations after Charlottesville, situated about 100 miles from Washington DC, voted to remove the statue of General Lee.The clash is the latest in a series of confrontations after Charlottesville, situated about 100 miles from Washington DC, voted to remove the statue of General Lee.
Celebrating the Confederate cause is a highly inflammatory issue in the US because the Confederate states supported slavery.Celebrating the Confederate cause is a highly inflammatory issue in the US because the Confederate states supported slavery.
In May, a torch-wielding group that included prominent white nationalist Richard Spencer gathered around the statue for a night-time protest, and in July, about 50 members of a North Carolina-based KKK group travelled there for a rally, where they were met by hundreds of counter-protesters.In May, a torch-wielding group that included prominent white nationalist Richard Spencer gathered around the statue for a night-time protest, and in July, about 50 members of a North Carolina-based KKK group travelled there for a rally, where they were met by hundreds of counter-protesters.
Charlottesville is normally a quiet university city, and many of those protesting are believed to be from out of town.Charlottesville is normally a quiet university city, and many of those protesting are believed to be from out of town.
“People are angry, they’re scared, they’re hurt, they’re confused,” said the Reverend Seth Wispelwey of the local United Church of Christ.“People are angry, they’re scared, they’re hurt, they’re confused,” said the Reverend Seth Wispelwey of the local United Church of Christ.
 “White supremacists rallying in our town is an act of violence.” “White supremacists rallying in our town is an act of violence.”
Both local hospitals said they were prepared for an influx of patients and had extra staff on call to help.  Both local hospitals said they had been prepared for an influx of patients and had asked extra staff to be on call to help.