Virginia State Police
A car rammed through a crowd of demonstrators who were protesting a “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia on Saturday afternoon, inuring at least four to six people. Authorities said the injuries ranged from minor to life-threatening. The group was marching with Black Lives Matter signs and LGBTQ flags when they were hit.
The mayor said at least one person had died:
I am heartbroken that a life has been lost here. I urge all people of good will–go home.
These are photos from the scene. You can watch a chilling video of what happened at Heavy’s story here. Officials haven’t yet determined the cause of the crash or named the driver or victims, as of the time of publication.
Warning: Some of these photos may be graphic.
According to witnesses, counter protesters were hit as they turned a corner during their protest march. They were chanting things like “our streets” in response to the words “Unite the Right.” This happened after police had dispersed a group of white nationalists, CBS reported.
When you watch the video, it appears that cars were driving slowly through a busy street, in a line, while surrounded be protesters who were walking peacefully. Then one car started driving faster, hitting protesters and the car in front of it, and then appeared to reverse into more protesters.
#BREAKING: Multiple injured after car crashes into counter protesters at Charlottesville rally, per @CNN
t.co/c7IA4W8oGN
Witnesses referred to the video as a “deliberate act of terrorism.” Others said the car appeared to deliberately mow down pedestrians.
This photo shows a woman being brought to an ambulance, while she appeared unresponsive:
This likely intentional car crash is VERY serious. Woman being brought to ambulance seemed unresponsive #Charlottesville
It wasn’t clear immediately what happened just before the crash. Some men were wearing white helmets and homemade shields, yelling “Blood and soil!” Other counter protesters yelled “Nazi scum off our streets!” CNN reported.
According to CBS News, white nationalists had been clashing with counter protesters for hours before the collision. Alt-right demonstrators were protesting the city’s decision to remove a state of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from Emancipation Park.
The crash happened near Water & 4th streets. Local residents were asked to avoid that area so medics could access the scene.
DEVELOPINg: Conflicting reports about whether car hit Charlottesville protesters deliberately. At least four injured.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe had declared a state of emergency in the city because of violence that was breaking out.
Please avoid area of Water & 4th streets to allow medics access to the crash scene. More info will be released when available. #cvilleaug12
These rallies and counter rallies had peaceful moments too, such as when Cornel West was present earlier and people prayed and sang, “This Little Light of Mine.”
At the time of publication, parts of 4th and Water streets were blocked off.
Protesters for the “Unite the Right” rally were wearing military-style clothing, CBS News reported, and others wore shirts with Nazi symbols and Hitler quotes.
Not much going on. Part of 4th & Water streets blocked off. Folks are just standing around. Some started to leave. #Charlottesville
Here are police, blocking off the road so victims can be transferred to the hospital:
Police block off the road as people who were injured are being transferred to hospital. #Charlottesville
Police barricade scene where pedestrians were struck by a vehicle near Water & 4th Streets.
Here are more photos from the scene.
Some of these photos may be disturbing.
GettyRescue workers and medics tend to many people who were injured when a car plowed through a crowd of anti-facist counter-demonstrators marching through the downtown shopping district August 12, 2017.
GettyRescue workers and medics tend to many people who were injured.
Getty A protester hurls insults at Virginia State Police officer as rescue workers and medics tend to many people who were injured when a car plowed through a crowd in the downtown shopping district August 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia..
GettyA Virginia State Police officer in riot gear keeps watch from the top of an armored vehicle. A car plowed through the crowed following the shutdown of the “Unite the Right” rally by police after white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the “alt-right” and counter-protesters clashed near Lee Park.
GettyRescue workers move victims on stretchers after car plowed through a crowd of counter-demonstrators marching through the downtown shopping district August 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
GettyRescue workers and volunteers help get victims to the hospital after a car plowed through a crowd of counter-demonstrators marching through the downtown shopping district August 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia..
GettyVolunteers help a victim into the back of a truck to be taken to the hospital after a car plowed through a crowd of anti-facist counter-demonstrators marching through the downtown shopping district August 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
More than 1,000 police officers were deployed and 2,000 to 6,000 people were expected at the rally. Tensions mounted because the night before, a group of alt-right protesters marched through the University of Virginia carrying torches.
#Charlottesville 9:53pm 🔘 The torches are lit. Hundreds w/ an alt-right march thru UVA
Many felt the torches were a clear sign that the group was trying to intimidate others.
Now gathering around statue of Thomas Jefferson. Chanting ‘white lives matter!’
This is a developing story.
