In the wake of a pro-Nazi rally that turned deadly over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia, Democrats, Independents and Republicans alike are condemning the madness and the ideology that drove it.

Some, like State Rep. Richard Stark, a Weston Democrat who heads the legislature's Jewish Legislative Caucus, called on his fellow lawmakers to set aside their differences and speak out against the hate speech that appears to be stoking the flames of racism and violence. In an open letter to his colleagues, he urged them "to condemn the bigotry and violence committed in Virginia."

Stark acknowledged that while even neo-Nazis are protected under the First Amendment, they are not welcome to harass, intimidate or incite violence, and that lawmakers, regardless of party, should make it known that they do not belong in the State of Florida.

Florida's legislature is, of course, heavily Republican-dominated. Many lawmakers represent districts where the population is strongly pro-Confederacy, who overwhelmingly vote Republican — especially in the 2016 primary and general elections, when then-candidate Donald Trump's racism-tinged messaging attracted throngs of them.

So for the legislature to unanimously condemn such acts those that were carried out in Charlottesville would send a strong message, Stark said.

"Your leadership is crucial to opposing this hatred and ensuring that Floridians know that terror and violence are not welcome in our state," he wrote.

Here's the full text of his letter:

August 14, 2017

To all elected leaders:

I write you today as the Chair of the Jewish Legislative Caucus of Florida.

The violence and public displays of hatred that occurred this past weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia have no place in our country. These Neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups embody values founded on hatred and bigotry. These are values that we as Americans do not share. As citizens of this great nation, we must be active in opposing these groups whose message and goal is a deadly poison to moving our country forward.

And as elected representatives, we must stand for something. We should serve as examples for our constituents. Regardless of partisanship, it is essential that we all come together and condemn the behavior that has led to a horrendous tragedy. Neo-Nazis and white supremacists do have the right to speak freely. They do not have the right to antagonize, commit violence, and terrorize other Americans.

I encourage all elected leaders to condemn the bigotry and the violence committed in Virginia. Your leadership is crucial to opposing this hatred and ensuring that Floridians know that terror and violence are not welcome in our state.

When hate of this kind rears its ugly head, we have to take a stand and call it what it is: just plain wrong.

Respectfully,

Richard Stark