Cardiff vigil as Trump condemns ‘evil racism’

US president Donald Trump said “racism is evil” as he condemned the KKK, neo-Nazis and white supremacists as “criminals and thugs”.

Mr Trump spoke in the White House after meeting US attorney general Jeff Sessions and FBI director Christopher Wray about the racially-charged violence on Saturday in Charlottesville, Virginia, which left one woman dead.

In Cardiff last night around 50 people gathered outside City Hall to champion multi-culturalism and show their solidarity with victim Heather Heyes and those who were injured.

Before his comments last night, Mr Trump had come under fire for his comments on Saturday that “many sides” are to blame for the violence.

In those remarks, he did not single out white supremacists or any other hate group, even as senior Republicans and others in the White House condemned them by name.

Mr Trump described the hate groups as “repugnant” and also used his remarks to call for unity.

“We must love each other, show affection for each other and unite together in condemnation of hatred, bigotry and violence. We must rediscover the bonds of love and loyalty that bring us together as Americans,” he said.

Mr Sessions had said earlier that the violence in which a car ploughed into a group of counter-protesters, killing Heather Heyes “does meet the definition of domestic terrorism in our statute”.

Emma Garson, the Unison worker who organised the vigil in the Welsh capital last night, said: “Cardiff has a proud history of multi-culturalism and our city will feel pride by always having welcomed people of races.

“We want to send out a message of support that bigotry and hatred are not and have never been welcome in our city.”

Councillor Ali Ahmed, who serves Cathays, noted the turnout of more than 50 people in damp weather within such a short space of time was to be commended. all faiths and

He said: “It’s another sad day for our democracy, for humanity.

“Cardiff is a multi-cultural city, Wales is, the UK is, the United States is as well.

“The US is built on multi-culturalism, whether people accept it or not.

“We don’t want to see this happening.”

Mike Payne, GMB regional political officer, said: “Friends, colleagues, comrades, I am extremely proud to be here tonight to stand in solidarity with you and with our friends and comrades in Charlottesville.

“The sad death of Heather Heyes is once again a stark reminder, and is another example of, the neo-Nazis on the rise and the increasing fascist activity.

“We can never allow those racists to divide us and our communities.”