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This is the horrific moment a car sped down a street and ploughed into anti-Nazi activists, leaving at least one protester dead, after a white supremacist rally descended into a mass brawl.

Many viewers claim the new footage proves the vehicle deliberately targeted 'peaceful' protesters amid the violence in Charlottesville in Virginia, US, today.

Some have described the collision as "deliberate terrorism" - and have called on officials and US President Donald Trump to "treat it" as a terror attack.

After smashing into the activists, the car was filmed reversing back down the street at speed, with a single, red shoe flying out from under its wrecked bumper.

The city's mayor, Mike Signer, confirmed that at least one person was killed in the shocking incident, tweeting: "I am heartbroken that a life has been lost here."

He also said he was "furious and heartsick" after the "car crash".

(Image: Twitter) (Image: Twitter) (Image: Twitter) (Image: AFP)

(Image: Getty Images North America)

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Devastated witnesses say the vehicle mowed down dozens of demonstrators, leaving nearly 20 others, possibly including children, injured.

Other footage showed the street spattered with blood following the smash.

The incident came after a fight broke out between thousands of white marchers and counter-protesters this morning ahead of the "Unite the Right" rally.

Dramatic footage showed attendees - some, carrying Confederate flags - running towards each other and throwing punches as the two sides clashed.

Water bottles were reportedly hurled from both sides, while men dressed in military-style uniforms were seen carrying rifles and shields in the area.

Other clips showed chemical sprays and smoke bombs being used.

It was around a couple of hours later that the car was filmed ploughing into protesters in the city, leaving at least one person dead.

(Image: Twitter) (Image: Twitter) (Image: Twitter) (Image: Twitter)

The exact circumstances surrounding the collision remain unconfirmed. A number of people were seen receiving medical treatment in the street.

Journalist Alex Rubinstein tweeted: "I just watched a car plow through dozens of protesters. Extremely heavy injuries, possible casualties."

Bo Erickson, of CBS News, also reported that there were "multiple injuries", while one Twitter user posted: "Word on the scene is at least 1 person is dead."

A fourth user, Brennan Gilmore, wrote: "Video of car hitting anti-racist protestors. Let there be no confusion: this was deliberate terrorism.

"My prayers with victims. Stay home."

The mayor, who has been tweeting throughout today's chaos, pleaded with people to go back home following this afternoon's smash.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS)

Mr Signer tweeted: "I am furious & heartsick by the car crash that has injured many. Please all-go home to your families. We can work tomorrow. GO HOME! PLEASE!"

Around half an hour later, he added: "I am heartbroken that a life has been lost here. I urge all people of good will - go home."

It is reported that 19 people in total were injured in the incident. A state official later said the male driver of a vehicle was in police custody.

Officials had earlier declared a state of emergency after the violence unfolded at the rally, which was expected to be attended by thousands of white nationalists.

The event, which was due to start at midday local time, was organised in protest over the city's decision to remove a Confederate statue from a local park.

However, riot police were forced to intervene after the clashes erupted, with helmet-clad officers spotted confronting demonstrators at the scene.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: Twitter) (Image: Twitter) (Image: Getty Images North America)

Shortly before noon (5pm UK time), Charlottesville police declared that the gathering was an unlawful assembly, and ordered that the demonstrators disburse.

Two people were injured in the clashes between the white nationalists, white supremacists and the alt-right and other protesters.

Their wounds were described by police as "serious but not life-threatening."

At around 12.30pm, Virginia State Police tweeted: "VSP troopers gradually moving protesters safely down Market St. in Charlottesville."

The force had earlier posted a picture of a man being detained by officers.

It had captioned the image: "Arrests are being made following declaration of unlawful assembly at Emancipation Park in Charlottesville."

(Image: Getty Images North America) (Image: Twitter) (Image: Getty Images North America) (Image: REUTERS)

There are reports that white nationalist Richard Spencer was arrested by officers, but these are currently unconfirmed.

According to Sky News, demonstrators on both sides were filmed using handmade shields as they punched and kicked each other during the brawl.

At one point, a fight appeared to break out when anti-Nazi protesters approached the opposing side "with what looked like a wooden banner".

At other points, protesters could be heard chanting racist slurs.

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency in order "to aid state response to violence", as did local officials.

(Image: Anadolu) (Image: Anadolu) (Image: Anadolu) (Image: Anadolu) (Image: Anadolu)

Meanwhile, author JK Rowling tweeted a picture of white supremacists marching down the road. She wrote: "Hell of a day for the President to forget how to tweet."

At the time of Ms Rowling's tweet, US President Donald Trump had yet to weigh in on the planned demonstrations.

However, at around 1.20pm local time, he took to the social network to call for all Americans to "come together as one".

He wrote: "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 (sic)!"

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS)

Former president Bill Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders also tweeted about the incident, hitting out at the white supremacists.

Mr Clinton posted: "Even as we protect free speech and assembly, we must condemn hatred, violence and white supremacy. #Charlottesville."

Mr Sanders said: "The white nationalist demonstration in #Charlottesville is a reprehensible display of racism and hatred that has no place in our society."

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: Twitter) (Image: Twitter) (Image: Twitter)

Today's events highlight a persistent debate in the U.S. South over the display of the Confederate battle flag and other symbols of the rebel side in the Civil War, fought over the issue of slavery.

Last night, hundreds of white marchers had clashed briefly with counter-protesters on the Charlottesville campus of the University of Virginia.The marchers were seen carrying blazing torches during the incident, which occurred on the eve of the planned "Unite the Right" rally.

Melania Trump

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: Twitter)

They also encircled and chanted at the counter-demonstrators while standing at the base of a statue of former US president Thomas Jefferson.

Their chants reportedly included the words: "White lives matter".

A university spokesman said one person had been arrested while several people were injured.

This morning's clashes came after right-wing blogger Jason Kessler organised a so-called "pro-white" rally in protest over Charlottesville City Council's decision to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee from Lee Park.

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(Image: Anadolu) (Image: ALEJANDRO ALVAREZ/NEWS2SHARE) (Image: ALEJANDRO ALVAREZ/NEWS2SHARE)

The council had also voted to rename the city centre park as Emancipation Park.

"The acts and rhetoric in Charlottesville over past 24 hours are unacceptable and must stop," Mr McAuliffe wrote on Twitter this morning.

"A right to speech is not a right to violence."

Charlottesville is located about 100 miles outside Washington, DC.