CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVEC) -- Authorities are on the scene after a vehicle plowed into a group of people marching peacefully through downtown Charlottesville.
An Associated Press reporter saw at least one person on the ground receiving medical treatment immediately afterward the incident, which occurred approximately two hours after violent clashes between white nationalists and counter-protesters.
CPD & VSP respond to 3-vehicle crash at Water & 4th streets. Several pedestrians struck. Multiple injuries. 1/2 #cvilleaug12 pic.twitter.com/DdHYdL0Uvu
— VA State Police (@VSPPIO) August 12, 2017
Please avoid area of Water & 4th streets to allow medics access to the crash scene. More info will be released when available. #cvilleaug12 pic.twitter.com/LfKBo4hdp1
— VA State Police (@VSPPIO) August 12, 2017
The nationalists were holding the rally to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.
There were several hundred protesters marching in a long line when the car drove into a group of them.
White nationalists and counterprotestors flooded downtown Charlottesville on Saturday for a 'Unite the Right' rally.
At 11:21 a local emergency was declared over the rally.
UPDATE: Local emergency declared in Charlottesville over rally #cvilleaug12 https://t.co/3SO0YJ0NdC
— VA State Police (@VSPPIO) August 12, 2017
Police estimated anywhere between 2,000 and 6,000 people attended the event.
The rally begins at noon at the Emancipation Park around the Confederate statue of Robert E. Lee. Many are outraged by the city's plans to remove the confederate history.
According to the Virginia State Police, before the start of the rally two people have already been injured from an altercation.
UPDATE: 2 people injured in altercation at Charlottesville rally. Injuries serious but not life-threatening #cvilleaug12 pic.twitter.com/CVPnjXQnQ0
— VA State Police (@VSPPIO) August 12, 2017
The crowd at Emancipation Park is growing as more groups arrive. #cvilleaug12 pic.twitter.com/Xdi8v6EpUO
— VA State Police (@VSPPIO) August 12, 2017
This comes just after torch-wielding white nationalists marched on University of Virginia on Friday.
Stick with 13News Now on updates about the 'Unite the Right' rally.
The Associated Press contributed to this article
