Residents, Officials Respond To Virginia Unrest

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and other political leaders condemned the deadly attack Saturday on counterprotestors at “Unite The Right” white nationalist and neo-Nazi rally in Virginia.

“I’m disgusted by the violence incited and perpetrated in Charlottesville,” Malloy said. “The hatred and xenophobia of white nationalists is sickening, and the loss of a life is beyond tragic.”

The demonstration is “a reprehensible display of racism and hatred that has no place in our society,” Rep. John Larson said. “The hate and violence that has occurred in Virginia is despicable. I fully condemn the neo-Nazi rally and their attacks on the counter-rally. While our Constitution allows for free speech there is absolutely no room for the racism, hate speech, and violence that has occurred.”

Vigils in support of Charlottesville victims and against racism had been scheduled by nightfall for Sunday at noon in West Hartford on the corner of Farmington Avenue and Main Street; 4 p.m. in Jillson Square Park in Willimantic; 6 p.m. in Bridgeport’s McLevy Green at 177 State St.; 6 p.m. in New Haven on Church and Chapel streets and 6:30 p.m. outside Danbury library on 170 Main St. Women’s March CT — We March On and other groups organized these events.

Sen. Christopher Murphy said violence in Charlottesville “should be a call to action for every American who has grown complacent under the assumption that our nation’s moral arc naturally bends toward inclusion and tolerance. Racism, anti-Semitism and homophobia are tragically alive and well in America today.”