US President Donald Trump condemned hatred, bigotry and violence "on many sides" after clashes at a white nationalists' rally in Virginia capped off by incidents that left three people dead including a pedestrian and two in a helicopter crash.
Trump was swiftly criticised for being too tame.
The President spoke after two days of violent protests in Charlottesville, home to the University of Virginia, triggered by a "Unite the Right" rally organised to protest the removal of the statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee.
The pedestrian died after a car struck counter protesters.
The FBI opened a civil rights probe into the incident.
The Charlottesville chief of police said a driver was in custody after a 32-year-old woman died and 19 sustained injuries ranging from minor to life threatening when a car hit counter protesters in downtown Charlottesville.
Police said a further 15 injuries were reported in connection with the protests, two state police troopers died when their helicopter crashed nearby.
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, declared a state of emergency after violent run ins between thousands of the demonstrators, counter protesters and supporters of the activist group Black Lives Matter.
Source: Stuff.co
