Latest in Virginia: 3 Dead, Hit and Run Driver Arrested

Three people have died since hundreds of racists and homophobes descended on Charlottesville, Va. on Friday night.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

August 12 2017 9:14 AM EST

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August 12 2017 6:24 PM EST

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Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency after fighting between neo-Nazis and counterprotesters raged all night and into the morning in Charlottesville, Va., killing three people and injuring at least 35.

A United the Right rally planned for Saturday at noon in a park in downtown Charlottesville was canceled and the racist protesters were forced out. That decision was made after hours of skirmishes between white nationalists and people protesting the messages of racism, xenophobia, and homophobia. There are reports that both sides sprayed each other with chemical irritants and plastic bottles. Some of the protesters wore helmets and carried clubs and sticks.

A car also drove into a group of anti-racist protesters, killing a 32-year-old woman who was crossing the street. Authorities are not naming the woman until her next of kin are notified. A male suspect for her murder is in custody, according to Charlottesville Police.

\u201cCharlottesville police chief says violence was "premeditated," suspect is in custody https://t.co/rtTBkVpHdc\u201d
— NBC News (@NBC News) 1502577545

Most of the neo-Nazis were young men, according to the Washington Post, who were carrying torches and shouting, "White Lives Matter!" and "Jews Will Not Replace Us!" Video emerged of the protesters shouting "Fuck You f****ts" at counterprotesters.

\u201cYou heard that right. They're chanting "Fuck you f****ts." 2017. #Charlottesville\u201d
— Christopher Mathias (@Christopher Mathias) 1502548556

The neo-Nazis had gathered at Charlottesville's Emancipation Park (formerly Lee Park) because the city voted to remove a Confederate statue there; it still remains pending a judge's ruling. The white nationalists claimed "white history" is being erased and they're being "persecuted" for being white.