‘President Trump legitimises hate speech and violence, and disgraces our nation.’

Donald Trump

The Writers Guild Of America West (WGAW) on Wednesday condemned president Trump’s response to the fatal unrest in Charlottesville, Virginia.

“The Writers Guild of America West believes in free speech – even from Nazis and white supremacists,” a statement read. “But we completely disavow their views, which reflect the worst stains of American history, a history that still lives through racism, prejudice and systematic inequality of opportunity.

“We demand that violence in support of such views be properly punished. President Trump legitimises hate speech and violence, and disgraces our nation.”

The statement came after Trump was roundly criticised for not condemning white supremacist groups including neo-Nazis following violent clashes in Virginia at the weekend.

Instead he blamed both sides and went as far as to say parties on both sides, which included neo-Nazis, were “very fine people”.

One person, paralegal and Charlottesville resident Heather Heyer, died and around 30 were injured when a car ploughed into a crowd during the unrest.

The violence occurred at a Unite The Right rally triggered by the removal by authorities of a statue of Civil War Confederate general Robert E. Lee.

UK prime minster Theresa May has said Trump should have condemned the far right marchers.