Protesters denounce White Supremacy and hate

Communities are pushing a message of universal acceptance amid the recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia,

People across the USA have reacted to the violence in Charlottesville this week with rallies and protests, many of them standing up against hate speech.

Saturday morning hundreds of Austinites gathered peacefully in front of City Hall holding signs of and flags in an effort to denounce white supremacy.             

One sign stood out in a crowd of many and it was held by 3-year-old Gianna WhiteHawk who attended the rally with her father Mike Whitehawk.

"I did help her make this sign and she helped color it in. So we made this sign that reads ‘I love people of color’ and we attended this event to show our support for people of color especially and other marginalized groups," said Whitehawk.

He said it's important to teach your kids love and equality at a young age.

"It’s when our values become most crystalized," said Whitehawk."At this moment in our society and in our history it’s vitally important to stand to together."

Along with written messages were voices of those whose lives were taken by acts of violence.

Henry King spoke at the rally Saturday and said the event in Charlottesville hit home for him.

"This is one of the hardest weeks in my life. It really affected me but that's why I’m here," said King.

He added, “We should not work towards the division of each other instead work amongst each other."

King also said that hate is not the solution.

"If we are taught to hate then we can be taught to love and that's the thing that really needs to change in the nation and it starts off with peace," said King.

Kenneth Loebenberg said he was inspired to attend the rally because of his grandfather who was a holocaust survivor. 

"You’re not welcomed here it's your right to say what you think kind but we are going to make you feel very unwelcomed here. We aren't going to be violent but keep your opinions to yourself," said Loebenberg.