One dead, 34 injured in clashes at Virginia white nationalist rally

Rescue workers transport a victim who was injured when a car drove through a group of counter protesters at the "Unite the Right" rally Charlottesville, Virginia, US, August 12, 2017.[Photo/Agencies]

The clashes highlights a resurfacing of the white supremacist movement under the "alt-right" banner after years in the shadow of mainstream American politics.

"You will not erase us," chanted a crowd of white nationalists, while counter-protesters carried placards that read: "Nazi go home" and "Smash white supremacy."

Tensions in the city intensified when the vehicle plowed into a crowd of people gathered in a street two blocks from the park that houses the statue of Robert E. Lee, who headed the Confederate army in the American Civil War.

The Charlottesville confrontation was a stark reminder of the growing political polarization that has intensified since Trump's election last year.

A video shown on CNN showed a silver sedan driving at high speed into the crowd before reversing along the same street.

Witnesses said it looked like the driver intended to mow down people. Police have not offered any details on the car incident.

"From what I saw, it looked extremely deliberate," Will Mafei, 23, of Charlottesville said. He also witnessed the car hitting pedestrians as it went in reverse.

Earlier, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency in the city, home of the University of Virginia's flagship campus. The gathering was declared an "unlawful assembly," allowing police to disperse the protesters, and police cleared the park where the rally was to be held.

"I am praying that God help us all," Vice Mayor Wes Bellamysaid in an interview with CNN. "We are better than this."

REUTERS