Stamford residents rallied Wednesday against the hatred demonstrated in Charlottesville, Virginia, over the weekend.

Participants in the afternoon vigil were clearly passionate in their calls for peace. Many said they were disappointed in President Donald Trump's decision to blame both sides for the violence, which left Heather Heyer dead when an alleged white supremacist slammed a car into a crowd of people and other vehicles in the street.

Gov. Dannel Malloy kicked off the event with a fiery speech at the government center, decrying hate. 

"We will not stand by as you pick on our friends, our neighbors and those that we love," the governor declared.

Other speakers followed, including Mayor David Martin and religious and community leaders.