Donald Trump has condemned violence that broke out as far-right, white nationalists held a rally in Charlottesville, Virgina.

City, county and state authorities declared a state of emergency as clashes broke out between those demonstrating against plans to remove a statue honouring Confederate general Robert E Lee from a Charlottesville park and counter-protesters.



Mr Trump responded to the outbreak of violence ahead of the "Unite The Right" rally through Twitter, saying "we ALL must be united and condemn that hate stands for".

His message was posted shortly before it was confirmed that one person had been killed and several others injured when a car drove into a crowd of anti-fascist protesters.

He stopped short of condemning the racism issue involved in the removal of the Civil War General's statue. The message was retweeted by the official Presidential Twitter account.

First Lady Melania Trump, who rarely tweets, also responded to condemn the violence in Virginia in a message on her official Twitter account.

Local media reported that riot police and the National Guard were ready to go in, but state police were already on the scene.

There have been reports of pepper spray being used by protesters on both sides as well as bottles being thrown and physical altercations taking place.

Earlier in the day there was video footage of alleged members of a militia marching through the streets of Charlottesville armed with assault rifles and wearing tactical gear. There have not been any reports of gunshots as yet.

Mr Trump also made a public address several hours after the protests began during a bill signing regarding the Veterans Administration while on his 17-day "working vacation" at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry, and violence on many sides".

He added, "it's been going on for a long time in our country. Not Donald Trump, not Barack Obama. It's been going on for a long, long time," presumably referring to the issue of racism.

Mr Trump noted that "it has no place in America" and stressed the importance of "law and order and protection of innocent lives".

The President also said that he spoke with Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and the two "agreed that the hate and division must stop...right now."

He said he wants Americans to come together with "love for our nation...and true affection for each other".

Mr Trump was known for what many called divisive and hateful rhetoric throughout the 2016 campaign and his first seven months in office.