A candlelight vigil for Heather Heyer who lost her life in the white supremacist domestic terror attack in Charlottesville, VA has been canceled after racists threatened more violence.
Organizers made the announcement in a statement:
This evening’s candlelight vigil in remembrance of Heather Heyer scheduled to begin at 6pm the Rotunda at UVA has been canceled and moved to facebook live. The livestream program will feature local activists and clergy members. Organizers intend to hold a space for remembrance at a later date.
This event was designed to be a safe space for Charlottesville residents to gather, grieve, and support one another. A credible threat from white supremacists created a situation wherein we could no longer guarantee the safety of those who attended.
Various groups may be mobilizing around the city tonight to show their love for Heather, Solidarity C’Ville support them in doing so. Solidarity C’Ville intend on holding another event in the near future.
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It is not safe enough to hold a vigil in Charlottesville because the President Of The United States sent a loud and clear message to the violent white supremacists that he has their backs. A strong leader and a human being with any moral compass would have made it clear that the United States government views the people engaging in violent acts as criminals. Donald Trump did the opposite. He emboldened the racists, which is one of the reasons why the city is not safe enough to hold a vigil for an innocent victim of the violence.
The fire of racial hate that Trump cultivated during his campaign has grown into an inferno, and it looks like it may be up to individual communities to remove the violence and hate because the President isn’t interested in doing anything to help.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
