Stop the hatred, Utah leaders say in wake of deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va.
(Steve Helber | AP Photo) A counter demonstrator gets a splash of water after being hit by pepper spray at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency and police dressed in riot gear ordered people to disperse after chaotic violent clashes between white nationalists and counter protestors.
(Steve Helber) | AP Photo) Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017.
(Ryan M. Kelly | The Daily Progress via AP) A vehicle reverses after driving into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. The nationalists were holding the rally to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. There were several hundred protesters marching in a long line when the car drove into a group of them.
(Steve Helber | AP Photo) Rescue personnel help an injured woman after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. The nationalists were holding the rally to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. There were several hundred protesters marching in a long line when the car drove into a group of them.
(Steve Helber | AP Photo) White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency and police dressed in riot gear ordered people to disperse after chaotic violent clashes between white nationalists and counter protestors.
(Steve Helber | AP Photo) White nationalist demonstrators use shields as they guard the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017.
(Ryan M. Kelly | The Daily Progress via AP)A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. The nationalists were holding the rally to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. There were several hundred protesters marching in a long line when the car drove into a group of them.
(Steve Helber | AP Photo) Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. The nationalists were holding the rally to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. There were several hundred protesters marching in a long line when the car drove into a group of them.
(Steve Helber | AP Photo) White nationalist demonstrators walk through town after their rally was declared illegal near Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017.
(Ryan M. Kelly | The Daily Progress via AP) People fly into the air as a vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. The nationalists were holding the rally to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. There were several hundred protesters marching in a long line when the car drove into a group of them.
(Steve Helber | AP Photo) Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. The nationalists were holding the rally to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. There were several hundred protesters marching in a long line when the car drove into a group of them.
A counter-protester gets milk poured onto his face after getting pepper sprayed during a white nationalist rally on Saturday Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. The nationalists had gathered to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and others arrived to protest the racism. (Shaban Athuman /Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
State Police in riot gear guard Lee Park after a white nationalist demonstration was declared illegal and the park was cleared in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at the white nationalist rally. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
White nationalist demonstrators walk into Lee park surrounded by counter demonstrators in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency and police dressed in riot gear ordered people to disperse after chaotic violent clashes between white nationalists and counter protestors. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
White nationalist Richard Spencer gives remarks after a white nationalist rally was declared an unlawful assembly on Saturday Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. The group had gathered to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. (Shaban Athuman /Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
Protesters stands in front of state troopers in attempt to block them in during a white nationalist rally on Saturday Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. The nationalists had gathered to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. (Shaban Athuman /Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
An injured person is taken away by Emergency Medical Services workers after a car ran into pedestrians during a white nationalist rally, Saturday Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. (Shaban Athuman/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
A counter-protester throws a newspaper stand during a white nationalist rally on Saturday Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. The nationalists had gathered to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. (Shaban Athuman /Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
White nationalist demonstrators use shields as they clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. At least one person was arrested. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
White nationalist demonstrators hold their ground as they clash with counter demonstrators in Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. At least one person was arrested. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Counter-protesters tear a Confederate flag during a white nationalist rally, on Saturday Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. (Shaban Athuman /Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
Charlottesville resident Elliot Harding lights a candle as he places flowers and a stuffed animal at a makeshift memorial for the victims after a car plowed into a crowd of people peacefully protesting a white nationalist rally earlier in the day in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
A white nationalist demonstrator with a helmet and shield walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. At least one person was arrested. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
An injured man sits on the ground during a white nationalist rally on Saturday Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. The group had gathered to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. (Shaban Athuman /Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe addresses a news conference concerning the white nationalist rally and violence in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
A protester stands in front of state troopers during a white nationalist rally on Saturday Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. The group had gathered to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. (Shaban Athuman /Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
A police officer stands in the middle of the street after declaring the protest an unlawful assembly during a white nationalist rally, on Saturday Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. (Shaban Athuman/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. The nationalists were holding the rally to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. There were several hundred protesters marching in a long line when the car drove into a group of them. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Protesters stands guard in front of the entrance to their gathering during a white nationalist rally, on Saturday Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. The group had gathered to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. (Shaban Athuman /Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe addresses a news conference concerning the white nationalist rally and violence in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
In this Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 photo, James Alex Fields Jr., second from left, holds a black shield in Charlottesville, Va., where a white supremacist rally took place. Fields was later charged with second-degree murder and other counts after authorities say he plowed a car into a crowd of people protesting the white nationalist rally. (Alan Goffinski AP)
This photo provided by the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail shows James Alex Fields Jr., who was charged with second-degree murder and other counts after authorities say he rammed his car into a crowd of protesters Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va., where a white supremacist rally took place. (Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail via AP)
These undated photo provided by the Virginia State Police show Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates, left, of Quinton, Va., and Lt. H. Jay Cullen, of Midlothian, Va. The two were killed Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, when the helicopter they were piloting crashed while assisting public safety resources during clashes at a nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va. (Virginia State Police via AP)
Authorities work near the scene of a deadly helicopter crash near Charlottesville, Va., on Saturday Aug. 12, 2017. (Shelby Lum/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
Authorities embrace while working near the scene of a deadly helicopter crash near Charlottesville, Va., on Saturday Aug. 12, 2017. (Shelby Lum/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
This undated photo provided by the Virginia State Police shows Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates of Quinton, Va. Bates along with Lieutenant H. Jay Cullen were killed Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, when the helicopter they were piloting crashed while assisting public safety resources during clashes at a nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va. (Virginia State Police via AP)
This undated photo provided by the Virginia State Police shows Lieutenant H. Jay Cullen, of Midlothian, Va. Cullen along with Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates were killed Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, when the helicopter they were piloting crashed while assisting public safety resources during clashes at a nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va. (Virginia State Police via AP)
As tensions escalated during “pro-white” demonstration in Charlottesville, Va., on Friday night into chaos and violence Saturday morning before a planned a white nationalist rally that left one dead and dozens injured, Utah leaders and activists took to Twitter to condemn hatred.
On Friday night, longtime Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, tweeted that hate “has no place in civil society.”
Following clashes Saturday morning, Hatch sent another tweet, saying Americans should call “evil by its name” and that his brother had not given his life fighting Hitler in World War II for ”Nazi ideas to go unchallenged here at home.”
We should call evil by its name. My brother didn't give his life fighting Hitler for Nazi ideas to go unchallenged here at home. -OGH
About 11 a.m. Saturday, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency amid hundreds of people throwing punches and water bottles before the rally even officially started, and police in riot gear ordered protesters — both white nationalists and counterdemonstrators — to disperse, according to a report by The Washington Post.
Photos from the rally showed protesters waving Confederate flags and Nazi symbols.
About two hours after the violent clashes, a car plowed into protesters who were marching through downtown, killing one and injuring more than a dozen others. The driver, later identified as James Alex Fields Jr., 20, of Ohio, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, as well as other crimes.
“It‘s hard to explain to my children now that this is happening,” said state Sen. Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City. ”We’re repeating history on so many levels.”
She called the violence ”tragic” and “devastating.” The hatred doesn’t represent the vast majority of Americans, she said, nor did the rise of racism happen overnight.
This is a time to reflect, as a nation, she said, adding that “this is a conversation that needs to happen tonight,” starting with families.
“This nation has been through a lot,” Escamilla said. “To be where we are and to regress would be very unfortunate, and I think most Americans do not believe that‘s the right place we want to be.”
Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, wrote in an email to The Salt Lake Tribune that “these acts do not represent the America that I know.”
“The hatred and bigotry on display in Charlottesville is unacceptable,” he said.
Mormon Women for Ethical Government, a group that has fought against deportations in Utah, called for civil discourse and decried racism ”where its ugly tentacles reach.”
“We stand with the good citizens of Charlottesville, Virginia, who are being singled out because of skin color or religion by gangs of cowardly white supremacists,” spokeswoman Sharlee Mullins Glenn wrote in a statement. ”We believe in the inherent dignity of every human being. Our beloved nation was inspired by the ideal of a government that was not tribal, but based on rule of law, fairness and equal opportunity for all.”
Gov. Gary Herbert was unavailable for comment, but sent two tweets condemning the violence.
Thank you @GovernorVA for swiftly and thoroughly denouncing the violence and hatred at this rally.
”Pro-white” activists had gathered to protest the city’s decision to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from Emancipation Park in downtown Charlotte.
Some protesters flew flags for the American Vanguard, a national group associated with two flyers that were posted on the University of Utah campus last week.
The U.’s senior administrators also added their voice to those who condemned Saturday’s events, expressing support for the University of Virginia community in a tweet.