MORE than 100 people joined a vigil in Oxford last night for the victims of race clashes in Charlottesville, Virgina.

Protestors gathered at the Radcliffe Camera from 6pm, clutching banners with slogans including 'black lives matter', 'love trumps hate' and 'make racists afraid again'.

The organisers said they wanted to spread peace and love and show solidarity with victims of the recent attacks in the United States.

Oxford Mail:

On August 12, a suspected fascist protestor drove his car into and killed lawyer and human rights activist Heather Heyer in the city and injured dozens more anti-racist protestors in Charlottesville.

The attack happened during protests against a far-right rally, where white supremacists were openly inciting violence against people of colour, Jewish people, women, Muslims, disabled people and immigrants.

Lucy Ayrton, who helped organise the Oxford action last night, said: "This action is needed now more than ever as Oxford faced a 40 per cent rise in reported hate crimes over the last year, which have recently come to light."

Oxford Mail:

Oxford city councillor Ruthi Brandt added: "We want to strengthen the hands of those in the USA standing up to the people who spread hate and terror on the streets of Charlottesville over the weekend, and we want to show that any similar vile behaviour here in the UK will be met with fierce opposition.

"This weekend saw the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Lewisham and its lessons have not been forgotten - if we stand up to fascism, we will defeat it."