Local reaction to the deadly protests in Charlottesville over the weekend.
The violent confrontation between white supremacists groups and protesters has sparked nationwide outrage and condemnation.
The U.S. Department of Justice on Monday launched a civil rights investigation into what they are calling an act of domestic terrorism following the death of a protester.
A 20-year-old Ohio man is charged with second-degree murder in that death after allegedly driving a car into a group of protestors on Saturday that also injured 19 people.
President Donald Trump initially rebuked the violence but he came under fire for not specifically calling out the hate groups involved. The president on Monday did denounce “the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists as repugnant.” But Saturday’s rally—as well as the president—are facing widespread criticism.
“What’s more frightening is that those who are members of the neo-Nazis and the KKK think they have a friend in the Oval Office. There is no place in this city, and in this country for bigotry, for racism, for xenophobia, for homophobia and for anti-Semitism,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Some other Illinois elected officials also offered their reaction. Republican U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis tweeted: Neo Nazis in Charlottesville are not only racist and wrong but they are offensive to those who sacrificed to never see that flag again.
Neo Nazis in #Charlottesville are not only racist & wrong but they are offensive to those who sacrificed to never see that flag again 4/15
— US Rep Rodney Davis (@RodneyDavis) August 13, 2017
While Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley tweeted: It’s never too late to do the right thing. Public denouncement should’ve come 47 hours ago but I’m pleased Trump finally identified this hate.
It's never too late to do the right thing. Public denouncement should've come 47 hrs ago, but I’m pleased Trump finally identified this hate
— Mike Quigley (@RepMikeQuigley) August 14, 2017
Join us Tuesday for an in-depth discussion on the hate groups that held the Charlottesville rally.
