NationStates

Today in Charlottesville, a movement of Unite the Right groups marched through the Virginian town of Charlottesville in an attempt to both unite alt-right groups and to present a united front against the perceived "revision of history" in the town, where a local statue of Robert E. Lee is being considered for removal. Unsurprisingly, this has been met with counter protesters and much condemnation, as many of these groups have close or undeniable ties to Nazi ideology. There have been violent clashes and peaceful demonstrations between the factions since last night, with a state of emergency being declared in the area, but today things may have taken a deadly turn when a car plowed through a group of counter protesters, injuring many and perhaps even killing some. Details are still sparse.

UPDATE: The man driving the car has been arrested. No report on any potential fatalities or injuries yet.
UPDATE: Trump to give a speech on what has happened today in Charlottesville. Injuries look severe, but no reported deaths from the attack.
UPDATE: At least one dead from this assault. Attacker identified as a known white supremacist.
FINAL UPDATE: One dead, nineteen injured in the attack. Two policemen in a helicopter went down while patrolling the area for violence and died in the crash, bringing the death toll to three.

https://www.dailysabah.com/americas/2017/08/12/car-rams-into-crowd-at-violent-nationalist-rally-in-virginia
http://abcnews.go.com/US/car-hits-crowd-protesters-white-nationalist-rally-virginia/story?id=49179590
http://www.businessinsider.com/car-hits-counter-protesters-charlottesville-white-nationalist-rally-2017-8

That said, what are you thoughts on this issue, NSG? Should this be considered a terrorist attack? What does this say about our history of racism and our growing diversity? And how do we deal with the threat of violence from both sides of the issue?

Today the US witnessed a horrific event in Charlottesville, Virginia which is home to the University of Virginia.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/12/us/c ... alist.html

Many far right leaders including David Duke attended along with thousands of far right white nationalists. Much of what was said cannot be written here as it would violate site rules but one has a pretty good idea. Confederate flags were brought along with military helmets and homemade pepper spray. Shortly after the event began it turned violent and the Governor called in the Virginia National Guard. It was declared a unlawful assembly and broken up.

I respect the right of freedom of speech even speech I don't agree with, but acts of violence like what this wonderful town saw today is unacceptable. Racism, intolerance and white nationalism and supremacy is never ok under any circumstance and since the last election there has been a huge uptick in this type of behavior and its completely unacceptable.

Whats your take NSG on what happened in Charlottesville today?

Act of violence? Yes. Terrosrist attack? No.

This was the use of violence in a contentious situation between two conflicting groups. Not the targeting of civilians in order to further a political agenda by instilling fear into the populace at large. I mean if we want to consider it terrorism then why not consider the beatdowns doled out by Antifa at various other protests for people who were more or less just holding up sins in opposition to their ideological terrorist.

The governor is an alarmist imbecile for declaring a state of emergency.

White people must be viewed as automatically dangerous if we unite in any way for any reason. The white protesters were attacked first, as always.

Insaeldor wrote:Act of violence? Yes. Terrosrist attack? No.

This was the use of violence in a contentious situation between two conflicting groups. Not the targeting of civilians in order to further a political agenda by instilling fear into the populace at large. I mean if we want to consider it terrorism then why not consider the beatdowns doled out by Antifa at various other protests for people who were more or less just holding up sins in opposition to their ideological terrorist.

This wasn't just a Berkeley brawl.

Let's see: Nazis show up at a town that doesn't want them, march with torches, chant "Jews won't replace us", "blood and soil" and "Fuck you faggots", surround peaceful protesters and attack them. The next day, the get pushed out of a park by cops, draw guns on people, run over counter-protesters with a car...

How many people have to be injured or possibly die (unconfirmed from the car attack at the time of me posting) before "antifascists are the real fascists" is shown to simply not be the case?

Fuck Nazism.

Nexus of All Realities wrote:The governor is an alarmist imbecile for declaring a state of emergency.

White people must be viewed as automatically dangerous if we unite in any way for any reason. The white protesters were attacked first, as always.

The state of emergency was declared due to the risk of violence.

The New Sea Territory wrote:How many people have to be injured or possibly die (unconfirmed from the car attack at the time of me posting) before "antifascists are the real fascists" is shown to simply not be the case?

Fuck Nazism.

>Fascists are the Fascists
>Antifascists are the Fascists
Why not both?

No its not a terrorist act. A shameful act of racism interlace and white supremacy yes. Such intolerance has no place anywhere.

snip

Nexus of All Realities wrote:The governor is an alarmist imbecile for declaring a state of emergency.

White people must be viewed as automatically dangerous if we unite in any way for any reason. The white protesters were attacked first, as always.

I mean we are talking about people who are organized with the KKK and openly preformed Roman salutes while screaming hail victory at the top of their lungs. I think the governor knew things were going to get out of hand quickly and would rather avoid disaster rather then let a clearly explosive situation.

I also fail to see how hitting 6 counter-protesters is a clearly reasonable use of force in self-defense.

Nexus of All Realities wrote:The governor is an alarmist imbecile for declaring a state of emergency.

White people must be viewed as automatically dangerous if we unite in any way for any reason. The white protesters were attacked first, as always.

Violence is never acceptable no matter who does it. A state of emergency was declared to restore order. People shouting anti gay slurs and doing nazi salutes marching in the streets isn't going to end well.

The Empire of Pretantia wrote:

The New Sea Territory wrote:How many people have to be injured or possibly die (unconfirmed from the car attack at the time of me posting) before "antifascists are the real fascists" is shown to simply not be the case?

Fuck Nazism.

>Fascists are the Fascists
>Antifascists are the Fascists
Why not both?

One group doesn't drive cars into crowds....

Nazi scum like this have a lot in common with Islamist terrorists they say they hate so much.

According to the definitions of Terrorism:


"a person who uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims." (noun)

"unlawfully using violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims." (adjective)

What this is a politically motivated attack designed to cause terror in other people.


So, yes, it is a terrorist attack.

The New Sea Territory wrote:

The Empire of Pretantia wrote:>Fascists are the Fascists
>Antifascists are the Fascists
Why not both?

One group doesn't drive cars into crowds....

If vehicular ramming determines whether one is Fascist or not, then I guess the Ancient Greek sailors were the real Fascists.

Regardless, I'm not sure sure this is relevant. Actually, I'm sure it's not relevant.

San Lumen wrote:Today the US witnessed a horrific event in Charlottesville, Virginia which is home to the University of Virginia.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/12/us/c ... alist.html

Many far right leaders including David Duke attended along with thousands of far right white nationalists. Much of what was said cannot be written here as it would violate site rules but one has a pretty good idea. Confederate flags were brought along with military helmets and homemade pepper spray. Shortly after the event began it turned violent and the Governor called in the Virginia National Guard. It was declared a unlawful assembly and broken up.

I respect the right of freedom of speech even speech I don't agree with, but acts of violence like what this wonderful town saw today is unacceptable....... and white nationalism----------- is never ok under any circumstance and since the last election there has been a huge uptick in this type of behavior and its completely unacceptable.

Then you're pretty much saying white rights and interests, for the good of whites and our future in this country, are not "ok" under any circumstances. Attitudes like yours is what leads to violence in the first place.

White people are the only ones diminishing in numbers in this nation. That's enough reason to protest and be concerned.

The New Sea Territory wrote:

The Empire of Pretantia wrote:>Fascists are the Fascists
>Antifascists are the Fascists
Why not both?

One group doesn't drive cars into crowds....

"Dude it's not about whether or not you use violence as a method of trying to intimidate the opposition it's about how you use it lmao"

I hope the injured recover and the bastard who did this terrible, horrible action gets thrown in jail.

Nexus of All Realities wrote:

San Lumen wrote:Today the US witnessed a horrific event in Charlottesville, Virginia which is home to the University of Virginia.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/12/us/c ... alist.html

Many far right leaders including David Duke attended along with thousands of far right white nationalists. Much of what was said cannot be written here as it would violate site rules but one has a pretty good idea. Confederate flags were brought along with military helmets and homemade pepper spray. Shortly after the event began it turned violent and the Governor called in the Virginia National Guard. It was declared a unlawful assembly and broken up.

I respect the right of freedom of speech even speech I don't agree with, but acts of violence like what this wonderful town saw today is unacceptable....... and white nationalism----------- is never ok under any circumstance and since the last election there has been a huge uptick in this type of behavior and its completely unacceptable.

Then you're pretty much saying white rights and interests, for the good of whites and our future in this country, are not "ok" under any circumstances. Attitudes like yours is what leads to violence in the first place.

White people are the only ones diminishing in numbers in this nation. That's enough reason to protest and be concerned.

Yeah, so, OP, only BLACK lives matter?

The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp wrote:I hope the injured recover and the bastard who did this terrible, horrible action gets thrown in jail.

Amen.

Nexus of All Realities wrote:

San Lumen wrote:Today the US witnessed a horrific event in Charlottesville, Virginia which is home to the University of Virginia.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/12/us/c ... alist.html

Many far right leaders including David Duke attended along with thousands of far right white nationalists. Much of what was said cannot be written here as it would violate site rules but one has a pretty good idea. Confederate flags were brought along with military helmets and homemade pepper spray. Shortly after the event began it turned violent and the Governor called in the Virginia National Guard. It was declared a unlawful assembly and broken up.

I respect the right of freedom of speech even speech I don't agree with, but acts of violence like what this wonderful town saw today is unacceptable....... and white nationalism----------- is never ok under any circumstance and since the last election there has been a huge uptick in this type of behavior and its completely unacceptable.

Then you're pretty much saying white rights and interests, for the good of whites and our future in this country, are not "ok" under any circumstances. Attitudes like yours is what leads to violence in the first place.

White people are the only ones diminishing in numbers in this nation. That's enough reason to protest and be concerned.

This is not about "white rights and interests". These are white nationalists who believe they own this country.

The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp wrote:I hope the injured recover and the bastard who did this terrible, horrible action gets thrown in jail.

>Get thrown in jail
>Meet up with other white supremacists in jail
>Get out
>The cycle continues

Insaeldor wrote:

Nexus of All Realities wrote:The governor is an alarmist imbecile for declaring a state of emergency.

White people must be viewed as automatically dangerous if we unite in any way for any reason. The white protesters were attacked first, as always.

I mean we are talking about people who are organized with the KKK and openly preformed Roman salutes while screaming hail victory at the top of their lungs. I think the governor knew things were going to get out of hand quickly and would rather avoid disaster rather then let a clearly explosive situation.

---I also fail to see how hitting 6 counter-protesters is a clearly reasonable use of force in self-defense.

You ever been surrounded by people screaming for your blood?

Nexus of All Realities wrote:

Insaeldor wrote:I mean we are talking about people who are organized with the KKK and openly preformed Roman salutes while screaming hail victory at the top of their lungs. I think the governor knew things were going to get out of hand quickly and would rather avoid disaster rather then let a clearly explosive situation.

---I also fail to see how hitting 6 counter-protesters is a clearly reasonable use of force in self-defense.

You ever been surrounded by people screaming for your blood?

They were largely peaceful protesters.