Charlottesville Vice Mayor: Trump's Response to Charlottesville Violence Weak

CHARLOTTESVILLE (Sputnik), Kristopher Rivera — On Saturday, Trump condemned the violence in Charlottesville, stating that the events were a "display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides." The president however initially refrained from blaming any particular group for the outbreak of violence. Trump subsequently faced fierce criticism for not directly condemning the white nationalists of the Charlottesville rally.

"I am so disappointed in [Trump's] lack of response in regards to calling this domestic terrorism and white supremacy. He needs to denounce it," the city's Vice Mayor Wes Bellamy told reporters on Sunday adding that every elected US official should press Trump on condemning the white supremacists for their attacks.

Bellamy also said he expected further white supremacist rallies as a means to "try to redeem themselves."

​About a hundred anti-racism demonstrators gathered in downtown Charlottesville near the police station on Sunday following Saturday's clash between far-right activists and counterprotesters. The situation was calm, however, there was a heavy police presence in the area with several officers in riot gear or carrying assault rifles.

Media reported on Sunday, that following the criticism about Trump's reaction to the events in Charlottesville, the White House spokesperson said the president's earlier statements in response to Charlottesville violence had included condemnation of white supremacists.

The far-right demonstrations started in Charlottesville on Friday leading to the major "Unite the Right" rally on Saturday organized as a protest against the plans to remove a monument to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. The rally led to clashes between the demonstrators and counterprotesters, culminating in a car ramming incident, which left one person dead and over 30 injured.