State and local leaders came together in Bridgeport Sunday to condemn the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The leaders gathered at Beardsley Park to denounce what they call, "the hatred and racism that fomented the deadly violence in Virginia."

Officials characterized the violence as homegrown domestic terrorism. The rally left one person dead and dozens injured.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal says there are certain principles enshrined in the law which make what happened there hate crimes.

Community activist Wayne Winston says the hatred and racism that made the ordeal possible has been festering for years.

"It's like kind of having like a little cancer," he says. "It doesn't have to be big cancer that's about to take your life, that's why you need to detect it early and do what you need to do to contain it. Racism and hatred is exactly that in America."

Some local officials say President Donald Trump has not adequately condemned the violence and that's why they're standing together to demand a unilateral condemnation from him on behalf of all Americans.

"What has happened in Charlottesville should be a call to action for every American who has grown complacent under the assumption that our nation's moral arc naturally bends toward inclusion and tolerance," says Sen. Chris Murphy.