Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James was saddened by the clashes between white nationalists and counter-protesters Saturday in Charlottesville, Virginia. James expressed his sentiment on social media, tweeting “It's sad what's going on in Charlottesville,” referring to the violent clashes between the two sides that started when white supremacists began assembling at University of Virginia Friday for a planned march. James then asked, “Is this the direction our country is heading? Make America Great Again huh?!” referring to President Trump’s campaign slogan.

James is known for speaking his mind on national and social issues. In 2012, he led his Miami Heat teammates in wearing hoodies in solidarity with the family of Trayvon Martin, who was shot and killed by neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman. James also signed a petition calling for the prosecution of Zimmerman.

In 2014, James took to Instagram to protest the refusal of the grand jury to file a Ferguson, Missouri police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old.

He posted an image of Brown and Trayvon Martin with arms around each other walking into the light with the caption, “As a society how do we do better and stop things like this happening time after time!”

James was also at the receiving end of racial discrimination. In June, the front gate of James’ home in Los Angeles was spray-painted with a racial slur before Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.

The incident was investigated by authorities as a possible hate crime. In a press conference, James addressed the matter, saying it’s tough to be black in the United States, “no matter how rich and famous you are.”

Three persons arrested, charged; 3 killed

According to the Virginia State Police, three persons were arrested, namely Troy Dunigan, Jacob Smith and James O’Brien, and subsequently charged with disorderly conduct, assault and robbery and carrying a concealed handgun, respectively.

While police broke up the rally, a car plowed through the crowd, killing a 32-year-old woman. The driver, identified as 20-year-old James Alex Fields, was charged with second-degree murder. According to the Associated Press, two state police troopers were killed when their helicopter crashed near Charlottesville in a clash-related incident.

President Trump condemns Charlottesville events

Speaking from his golf club in New Jersey, President Trump strongly condemned the egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides. The President added he’s closely monitoring the events unfolding in Virginia. The Associated Press also reported that U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia and the Richmond field office of the FBI have launched an investigation into the matter.
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