17 August, 2017
Hundreds of people gathered on the University of Virginia campus for a peaceful candlelight vigil against hate and violence days after Charlottesville erupted in chaos during a white nationalist rally.
The parents of Heather Heyer, the 32-year-old woman who was killed when a driver allegedly rammed his auto into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally on Saturday, fought back tears as they spoke at her memorial service on Wednesday. There was no sign of Unite the Right, the white nationalist organization behind this weekend's violent rallies. People marched up the Lawn and around the Rotunda, ending at the Jefferson statue. She said the vigil has no political agenda and is non-partisan. "Well, guess what? You just magnified her", Bro said.
Beaufort County Indivisible organized a vigil in Washington Park to show support and come together in solidarity for those in Charlottesville. About 2,000 protesters marched from the Congregation Rodeph Shalom Synagogue and down Broad Street, CBS Philadelphia reports.
"This courageous woman died standing up against hatred", said Skyler Scarred, with the Calgary Anti-Fascist Action group who organized the event.
In response, all of us who believe in equality, acceptance and civility - from our leaders to average citizens - should, collectively, send this unified message: Those views are unacceptable; no place exists for them in America.