FM pro-white activist says his views are not hateful or divisive in the wake of VA violence

Local pro-white activist Peter Tefft had boots on the ground as rallies turned violent over the weekend in Virginia, leaving one dead and 19 injured. Many folks here in the FM area were not happy once they found out Tefft was attending, telling Valley News Live about the situation. And those unhappy include Tefft’s own family.

Peter Tefft says there’s a movement on the horizon.

“We feel that there’s going to be a new civil rights era, and this time it’s going to be a pro-white one,” Tefft said.

He says he’s a pro-white activist, adding the civil rights of white people are being attacked and white Americans need to stand up.

"You had constitutionalists, you had basic republicans, you had national socialists and you had white and southern identitarians and we're all being thrown in the same boat by the media and that's why we need to stand together,” Tefft said describing some of the weekend’s events.

Valley News Live asked Tefft, how are these views not seen as hateful, and divisive, at a time when it’s clear our country needs to come together?

"I guess I would ask how anybody sees advocating for civil rights as hate speech?” Tefft countered. “As far as the term white supremacist goes, in my view anybody that thinks white people don't need advocacy they're the white supremacist."

Tefft’s own father told the public Monday morning that his son did not grow up learning a pro-white agenda, and that he’s no longer welcome around family events.

“I don't really want to speak too much about my family and their harassment,” said Tefft.

While Tefft described what happened in Charlottesville as a warzone, he places the blame on the State of Virginia and law enforcement for the death and injuries.

President Trump on Monday issued a statement condemning the organizations that had gathered in Virginia, saying racism is evil and people who incite violence because of it are criminals and thugs.

“The Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into the deadly car attack that killed one innocent American and wounded twenty others,” said President Trump. “To anyone who acted criminally in this weekend's racist violence, you will be held fully accountable. Justice will be delivered.”

President Trump’s statement came Monday after intense criticism over the weekend for failing to call out specific groups or sides in the immediate aftermath of the Charlottesville car attack.

The man accused of driving that car into the crowd of people on Saturday made his first court appearance Monday morning. 20-year-old Alex Fields Jr. was arraigned on second degree murder charges and denied bail. Police records show Fields was previously accused of beating his mother and threatening her with a knife. One of the victim’s from Saturday’s crash was discharged, leaving nine people still in the hospital. Doctors say they are all in good condition. 32-year-old Heather Heyer, a counter-protester was killed in the crash.

U.S. Senator for North Dakota Heidi Heitkamp expressed harsh criticism of President Trump Monday. She said it’s better that the President did come out denouncing the groups as opposed to not doing it at all, but she wondered why it was so hard to do in the first place. Sen. Heitkamp mentioned that prominent Republicans denounced the hate groups right away.

Minnesota Rep. Collin Peterson also issued a statement Monday condemning the white supremacy groups that had gathered.

“Hatred and bigotry associated with the white supremacists, neo Nazis, and the KKK has no place in our society,” Peterson said. “The tragedy in Charlottesville is another example of the struggles our country faces to unite and confront hate. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.”