Thousands of New Jersey residents gathered across the state to condemn hate groups and show support for the people hurt in Charlottesville, Virginia over the weekend when white nationalists clashed with counter-protesters.

One of the vigils was held in Toms River, which has a history of Ku Klux Klan activity. People who attended the rally said that they have a message: “Hate has no home here.”

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, an active chapter of the KKK still operates in the town. The organization’s 2014 report lists New Jersey as the fourth state with the most organized hate groups in the country.

Attendees say the violence in Charlottesville opened their eyes to the fact that the nation is again at a boiling point when it comes to racial equality.

"There’s a constant battle for civil rights and to be on an equal level and fair level,” says demonstrator Zach Dougherty. “I think that right now and what happened in Charlottesville was a step backwards than what we worked for."

Congressional candidate Jim Keady attended the vigil and criticized President Donald Trump for not speaking out against white Supremacist groups until two days after the events in Charlottesville.

“We had the ‘Greatest Generation’ fight a war to beat Nazism into the shadows and to have our president consistently give them a wink and a nod…to be surrounded by sympathizers who support this alt-right and the neo-Nazis and the KKK, it’s an embarrassment for our nation,” Keady says.

While some attendees say that they are disappointed that it took two days for the president to condemn white supremacists groups by name, they say that they come together to encourage each other to engage those with hateful beliefs.

"Some people say they want to beat the hell out of these guys. What I would like to do is love, love the hell out of these guys,” says Keady.

Others who attended the rally say that the only way to drive out hate is with more love.

Vigils were also held in other towns, including Newark, Jersey City, Piscataway and Morristown.

Organizers for the vigils say that they want to encourage others to positively and peacefully engage people who may sympathize or hold hateful beliefs. They say that ignoring it or responding in anger will only inflame tensions.

More vigils are expected to be held Tuesday.