In his response to the violence in Charlottesville, former President Barack Obama shared a Nelson Mandela quote in a series of tweets. "No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion," Obama tweeted on Saturday evening. "People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love. For love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."
The white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday quickly turned violent when white supremacists and counter-protestors clashed. According to authorities, at least three people are reportedly dead, including a woman who died after a car driver rammed into counter-protestors, while two state troopers died in a helicopter crash close to Charlottesville. The Associated Press reported that the helicopter incident was related to the violence in the area. According to the police, it had been assigned to monitor the white supremacist rally.
The quote that Obama shared on Saturday is from Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk To Freedom. In addition to the quote, one of the tweets contained an image of Obama from 2011 where he can be seen with children at a daycare center in Bethesda, Maryland.
Obama's tweets arrived after Donald Trump's comments on the violence in Charlottesville. Trump mentioned his predecessor in his remarks:
We're closely following the terrible events unfolding in Charlottesville, Virginia. We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence, on many sides. Not Donald Trump, not Barack Obama, this has been going on for a long, long time. It has no place in America.
Trump issued his comments in front of reporters in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Trump's "on many sides" remark received a significant amount of criticism from observers. Comedian Kumail Nanjiani tweeted:
Never forget that phrase. Three words that protected violent bigotry. '"On many sides."
After issuing his comments in front of the press, Trump also tweeted his thoughts on Charlottesville.
We must remember this truth: No matter our color, creed, religion or political party, we are ALL AMERICANS FIRST.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe issued strong words against the white supremacist march and declared a state of emergency. In a statement to the press, McAuliffe said that the far-right white nationalists were "pretending" to be patriots; the governor went on to say:
We are stronger than you. You have made our commonwealth stronger. You will not succeed. There is no place for you here.
Read more on the Charlottesville protests:
Here's What You Need To Know About The White Nationalist Rally In Charlottesville Today
Melania Is The First Trump To Speak Up Against The Charlottesville Rally Violence
A Car Rammed Into Charlottesville Protestors & Caused "Extremely Heavy Injuries"
Tweets About Charlottesville Capture The Chaos Of The Protest
Here's How You Can Fight White Supremacy In Charlottesville & Beyond
Trump Condemns The Charlottesville Protest Violence From "Many Sides"
Hillary Clinton's Statement On Charlottesville Is Sneaky Subtweet At Donald Trump
How To Argue That The Charlottesville Violence Is Absolutely Unacceptable
One Dead After Car Mows Down Counter-Protestors In Charlottesville
How To Support Anti-Racism Organizations In Charlottesville
The Transcript Of Trump's Charlottesville Speech Shows His Weak Stance Against Racism
Ivanka Trump Slams "White Supremacy & Neo-Nazis" In Charlottesville Violence
