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Charlottesville: State of emergency over US far-right rally | Charlottesville: State of emergency over US far-right rally |
(35 minutes later) | |
Officials in Charlottesville in the US state of Virginia have declared a state of emergency ahead of a large march by white nationalists. | Officials in Charlottesville in the US state of Virginia have declared a state of emergency ahead of a large march by white nationalists. |
Thousands of people are expected to join the "Unite the Right" rally against plans to remove a statue of a pro-slavery US Civil War general. | Thousands of people are expected to join the "Unite the Right" rally against plans to remove a statue of a pro-slavery US Civil War general. |
Violent clashes erupted between far-right groups and counter-protesters who have also gathered in the city. | |
Two people have been injured, police say. | |
The state of emergency allows local authorities to request additional resources if needed, the police department said. | |
Police have fired tear gas and pepper spray against demonstrators and said that arrests had been made after a declaration of unlawful assembly at Emancipation Park. | |
The far-right protesters are angry about the planned removal of a statue of Gen Robert E Lee from Charlottesville. Lee commanded the Confederate forces in the US Civil War of 1861-65. | The far-right protesters are angry about the planned removal of a statue of Gen Robert E Lee from Charlottesville. Lee commanded the Confederate forces in the US Civil War of 1861-65. |
The BBC's Joel Gunter in Charlottesville says police have not yet interrupted clashes between the rival demonstrators, adding that it had been "extremely violent" so far. | |
Charlottesville has become a focal point for white nationalists after the city council voted to remove a statue of General Lee. | Charlottesville has become a focal point for white nationalists after the city council voted to remove a statue of General Lee. |
On Friday, the group waved torches and chanted "White lives matter" as they marched through the University of Virginia in the city. Charlottesville mayor Mike Signer condemned the march as a "parade of hatred". | On Friday, the group waved torches and chanted "White lives matter" as they marched through the University of Virginia in the city. Charlottesville mayor Mike Signer condemned the march as a "parade of hatred". |