Arnold Schwarzenegger gives $100k to anti-hate group after being left 'horrified' by Charlottesville rally

Arnold Schwarzenegger has donated $100,000 to an anti-hate organisation after being left “horrified” by the far-right rally in Charlottesville.

The actor and former governor of California issued a statement in the wake of the weekend’s violent protest, which left a young woman dead after a car ploughed into counter-protesters during the fierce clashes.

He said: “I have been horrified by the images of Nazis and white supremacists marching in Charlottesville.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of Heather Heyer, Lt. Cullen, and Trooper-Pilot Bates.”

The former bodybuilder added: “While these so-called ‘white nationalists’ are lucky to live in a country that defends their right to voice their awful, incorrect, hateful opinions, the rest of us must use our voices and resources to condemn hate and teach tolerance at every opportunity.

“My message to them is simple: you will not win. Our voices are louder and stronger.

"There is no white America - there is only the United States of America. You were not born with these hateful views - you can change, grow, and evolve, and I suggest you start immediately.”

Mr Schwarzenegger, who is perhaps best known for his career in the Terminator film series, added that he donated the money – which equates to around £77,800 – to the Simon Wiesenthal Centre.

The human rights organisation, named after the well-known Nazi hunter, researches anti-Semitism, hate and terrorism in both historic and modern society.

“I have spoken to its founder, Rabbi Marvin Hier, and I know that my contribution can help advance the Center's mission of expanding tolerance through education and fighting hate all over America - in the streets and online,” Mr Schwarzenegger said.

“My dream is that all of you will join me in helping your favourite anti-hate organizations in any way you can.

“United, we are greater than the hatred we saw this weekend.”

Saturday’s protest began with a rally of white nationalists angry at plans to remove a Confederate general’s statue.

Rabbi Hier said: “Arnold has been a support of the SWC for over three decades.

“We’ve never been prouder of his leadership than when we saw his tweet last night challenging everyone to do more in the fight against hate.”

The centre called on American leaders and President Trump to “specifically condemn the alt-right and white nationalists who sow seeds of hate, distrust and violence.

“They and all other extremists, left or right, have no place in the mainstream of our nation," it added.