One dead at US far-right rally, Trump blames 'many sides'

A white nationalist rally erupted into deadly violence on Aug. 12 as a car plowed into a crowd while demonstrators and counter-protesters clashed, as President Donald Trump came under sharp criticism for his tepid response.

The FBI and federal prosecutors have opened a civil rights investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident that killed one woman and wounded 19 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
 
After Trump was faulted by fellow Republicans for his apparent refusal to criticize far-right hate groups, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said that "when such actions arise from racial bigotry and hatred, they betray our core values and cannot be tolerated."  

"Justice will prevail," the top law enforcement official in the country added.
 
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe had already declared a state of emergency to provide more resources to law enforcement when a sedan surged into a crowd of what witnesses said were counter-demonstrators in the picturesque university town.
 
Some of the injuries from the car ramming were life-threatening. A 20-year-old from Ohio, James Alex Fields, Jr, has been charged with second degree murder, malicious wounding and hit-and-run.
 
Two responding police officers were killed in a helicopter crash. There was no immediate indication of foul play.    

Another 16 people were treated for other injuries linked to the rally, including from "individual engagements," Charlottesville police chief Al Thomas said. Three people were arrested and charged.
         
Hundreds had descended on Charlottesville either to march in or rail against a "Unite the Right Rally."    

Unrest quickly flared even as riot police and national guard troops flooded the...