Officials have declared a state of emergency in Charlottesville, Virginia, as white nationalists clashed with counter-protesters ahead of a planned major alt-right rally. Governor Terry McAuliffe has declared a state of emergency during a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va.

His office released the following statement Saturday afternoon:

– Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement regarding the emergency declaration he authorized this morning:

“At 11:28 a.m., the Virginia State Police contacted me to request a state of emergency and I immediately authorized the declaration.
The Governor of Virginia declares a state of emergency due to the protests.