|
|
[firstname],
Last Saturday, a hazy August weekend in Virginia erupted into violence when alt-right white supremacists and Neo-Nazis brought their poisonous, un-American beliefs to the streets of Charlottesville.
The violence was not accidental. Those on the alt-right came armed with assault rifles, dressed in camouflage, and waving flags of an evil ideology that once took the lives of hundreds of thousands of American soldiers.
The violence was not “on all sides.” We must be very clear. There can be no confusion between white supremacists and those standing up to them. Their values are not American values.
Yet amid the darkness on Saturday was a bright light: Heather Heyer. Heather was 32, her friends and co-workers say she was a passionate, strong woman who stood up for what she believed in. Heather was fun to be around and fun to talk to. She worked her way up in life, waiting tables despite her long hours as a paralegal. She was a daughter, a classmate, a coworker, a friend.
Heather went to a peaceful demonstration to show the world that Charlottesville was a place of love, not hate. Without warning, an alt-right supporter drove his car directly into the peaceful demonstration, running her down and injuring her friends and many more. Heather’s friends didn’t learn she was killed until later that day when an officer came to their hospital room to tell them.
Heather died fighting for justice and equality. She is a shining example to all of us who wish to live with purpose and stand up for what we believe in. Two others – Lieutenant Cullen and Trooper Bates of the Virginia State Police – were also killed when a helicopter brought in to monitor the situation tragically crashed.
None of us have all the answers to our nation’s problems. But I know this: the young men and women who went to Charlottesville last weekend weren’t born with hate in their hearts. I know they weren’t born wanting to do this. And I know that if they learned how to hate, they can learn how to love.
“Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that,” said the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. We need more voices like his to lead us through these troubled times and bring our country together.
Last Saturday was a dark day. But I know that if we work together – if we lift our voices in unison, we can fight against this rising tide of hate and animosity. I know that together, we can heal these wounds and unite our country in love. America was built on the courage and determination to build a better future for all of our families. We need to find that strength now more than ever.
Your Friend,
James P. McGovern
Member of Congress
|
|
|
|
|
|
