W.Va. Senators release statements condemning white supremacist groups

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- West Virginia's two U.S. senators have released statements denouncing white supremacist groups.

WSAZ reached out to Sen. Joe Manchin and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito Wednesday to get their take on this weekend's deadly attack in Charlottesville and President Donald Trump's response.

Sen. Capito called the tragedy an act of "domestic terrorism and should be treated as such."

She also added "it is incumbent upon all of us to reject this type of racism and bigotry."

Sen. Manchin said in his statement that he denounces white supremacists, the KKK and neo-nazis.

"West Virginia was founded in the fight against slavery, and I know my neighbors join me in denouncing cowardly acts meant to divide our country with bigotry and hatred,” Sen. Manchin said.

Their full statements can be seen here:

“Gayle and I extend our deepest sympathies to those who lost their lives this weekend in Charlottesville. Heather Heyer died standing up against the forces of evil and hatred, and Troopers Bates and Cullen died serving the highest ideals of their community, state, and country. I condemn in the strongest possible way the hatred and bigotry carried out by white supremacists this weekend. This hateful ideology has always contradicted the very foundation our country was built on. I denounce white supremacists, the KKK, neo-nazis, their ideologies and their allies. West Virginia was founded in the fight against slavery, and I know my neighbors join me in denouncing cowardly acts meant to divide our country with bigotry and hatred.”

"The hate and violence expressed by Neo-Nazis and other white nationalist groups in Charlottesville has absolutely no place in America. This tragedy was domestic terrorism and should be treated as such. It is incumbent upon all of us to reject this type of racism and bigotry."