White nationalists descended upon Charlottesville, Virginia to protest the removal of a statue of a Confederate general on Saturday, but the protest soon spiraled out of control into a violent, chaotic and deadly scene as the day went on.
At one point, a speeding car floored through a group of peaceful protesters, killing one person and injuring 19 others.
The man driving the car was later charged with murder, three counts of malicious wounding and failing to stop at an accident that resulted in a death.
Florida voices reacted to the news Saturday, with some taking aim at President Donald Trump, who was criticized for waiting for hours before issuing a statement and then for not directly addressing the white nationalists and Neo-Nazis at the protest.
Here’s how politicians and political groups from the Sunshine State responded:
President Donald Trump
"We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence, on many sides. On many sides. It's been going on for a long time in our country. Not Donald Trump, not Barack Obama. This has been going on for a long, long time."
And on Twitter:
“We ALL must be united & condemn all that hate stands for. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. Lets come together as one!”
Gov. Rick Scott
“We must be very clear - FL stands against all forms of racism & bigotry. The hatred displayed in VA is dispicable & has no place in America. Praying for officers in Charlottesville. Disgusted by white supremacists/evil/bigotry in VA.”
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. (via Twitter)
“Nothing patriotic about #Nazis,the #KKK or #WhiteSupremacists It's the direct opposite of what #America seeks to be…these haters in #Charlotesville are agitators in search of relevance & publicity for a vile cause very few people support. Can't ignore them,but also don't give them relevance they crave. Only way they win is if they can turn the rest of us against each other.”
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan R-Fla. (via Twitter)
“There is no place in society for such disgusting bigotry. Must be wholeheartedly condemned. #Charlottesville.”
U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla. (via Twitter)
“Racism and bigotry have no place anywhere, especially America. Today has been a disturbing, tragic day in Charlottesville. Unfortunately the rhetoric of our President is part of the reason violence and hate is now being paraded and promoted in an American city. It is incumbent on all of us to stand up and speak out, for all Americans, and against fascism, anarchy, hate, and violence.”
U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla. (via Twitter)
“The vile racism & bigotry & hatred on display in #Charlotesville does not represent who we are. Coming together to condemn it does. #unity...This is an act of terror at a march for hatred organized by racist and anti-Semitic white nationalists. We must speak with clarity.”
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. (via Twitter)
“The events in #Charlotesville are deeply troubling. Violence against our fellow Americans is never an appropriate political tactic.”
U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla. (via Twitter)
“White supremacists, Neo-Nazis and anti-Semites are the antithesis of our American values. There are no other ‘sides’ to hatred and bigotry.”
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla. (via Twitter)
“We can't stay silent on this: White supremacy, bigotry & anti-Semitism have no place in America. Let's unite against hate #Charlottesville. White supremacists fueled #Charlottesville's deadly violence today. Trump whitewashes it [with] false equivalency of hatred 'on many sides.’”
House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes
“We must fight against evil whatever form it takes: Nazism/racism/white supremacy! Praying for the victims and families.”
Florida Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Bittel
"The white supremacists who organized the hateful demonstrations and violent protests in Charlottesville want to intimidate us--they will not. We will not fall silent, and we will not allow these acts of terror to subdue us. We are proud to be launching a statewide effort to expand the vote and counteract these acts of hate with hope. We are encouraging every Floridian to participate and #RallytoRegister on Saturday, August 19th. Take a stand--register to vote, join your local Democratic Party, and defend our democracy."
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