Charlottesville mayor responds to Trump: Our work is just beginning – and so is yours

The mayor of Charlottesville, Virginia responded to President Trump’s statement after hundreds of white nationalists gathered at a rally on Saturday.

“Donald Trump, thanks, at long last, for condemning hate in speech and action. Our work here is just beginning. Yours is too,” Mayor Mike Signer tweeted.

@realDonaldTrump, thanks, at long last, for condemning hate in speech and action. Our work here is just beginning. Yours is too.

— Mike Signer (@MikeSigner) August 12, 2017

{mosads}Signer was responding to Trump’s statement, which followed Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) declaring a state of emergency in Virginia after violent clashes erupted between white nationalists and counter-protestors.

“We ALL must be united [and] condemn all that hate stands for. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. Let’s come together as one!” Trump tweeted.

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!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2017

Saturday’s rally was set to be held at Charlottesville’s Emancipation Park in protest of the city’s decision to take down a monument of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee., but was ultimately dispersed after the state of emergency was declared.

The white nationalist protesters also marched through the campus of the University of Virginia Friday night, carrying torches and shouting phrases like “white lives matter” and “you will not replace us.”

Signer condemned the protest in a statement, calling the gathering “a cowardly parade of hatred, bigotry, racism, and intolerance.”

“Everyone has a right under the First Amendment to express their opinion peaceably, so here’s mine: not only as the Mayor of Charlottesville, but as a UVA faculty member and alumnus, I am beyond disgusted by this unsanctioned and despicable display of visual intimidation on a college campus,” he said.