WASHINGTON Jonathan Drouin North America Jersey , Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Governor of U.S. state ofVirginia Terry McAuliffe on Saturday declared the state ofemergency as violent clashes took place at a big white nationalistrally in Charlottesville in Virginia.


Thousands of white nationalists, neo-Confederates and right-wingprotesters, as well as groups that oppose them, clashed during the""Unite the Right"" demonstrations that are still ongoing inCharlottesville Brandon Saad North America Jersey , a historic college town in the state borderingU.S. capital Washington D.C.


Several people were reportedly injured during the clashes beforethe official start of the rally scheduled at noon.


There are reports of urine being tossed at reporters and the airis said to be filled with pepper spray, mace and tear gas.


A federal judge declared on Friday that the gathering was""unlawful"" and the governor had urged Virginians to stay away fromthe planned rally.


""In the event that such violent or unlawful conduct occurs, Ihave instructed state public safety officials to act quickly anddecisively in order to keep the public and themselves safe,"" thegovernor said in a statement.


""Many of the individuals coming to Charlottesville are doing soin order to express viewpoints many people Sean Monahan North America Jersey , including me, findabhorrent."" he said.


The historic city, home of Thomas Jefferson and the Universityof Virginia, has become the latest Southern battleground over thecontested removal of Confederate monuments.


In April J. T. Miller North America Jersey , the city council voted to remove the bronze statue ofRobert Lee, an American general known for commanding theConfederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil Warfrom 1862 until his surrender in 1865. Enditem