CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Virginia governor declared a state of emergency in response to violent clashes stemming from a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville. A tweet was sent from Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s account about the declaration Saturday morning.
Governor McAuliffe has declared a state of emergency to aid state response to violence at Alt-Right rally in Charlottesville
— Terry McAuliffe (@GovernorVA) August 12, 2017
Reports say one person is dead and 19 are injured after a car crashed into a group of protesters. Charlottesville Mayor Mike Stigner tweeted about the death.
I am heartbroken that a life has been lost here. I urge all people of good will–go home.
— Mike Signer (@MikeSigner) August 12, 2017
In a statement, McAuliffe says Virginia State Police requested a state of emergency at 11:28 a.m. “I am disgusted by the hatred, bigotry and violence these protesters have brought to our state over the past 24 hours. The actions I have taken are intended to assist local government and restore public safety,” McAuliffe said in the statement. WTOP’s Reem Nadeem contributed to this report.