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Over the weekend, three people were killed and at least 34 were injured in a hate rally of several hundred right-wing extremists on the campus of the University of Virginia. The stated intention of this white nationalist rally was to protest the removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee, general of the Confederate Army, yet it was fueled by white supremacy ideology.
“The crime that took place in Charlottesville was one of domestic terrorism. It is the manifestation of the racial divide that we still face in our country that is fueled by fear and hatred of groups whose skin color, religion, or views do not match theirs,” said Assembly Member Chris R. Holden (AD-41), Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. “The Ku Klux Klan’s, or white nationalists’, atrocious message is a painful reminder that we have great work to do to unite this nation.”
President Trump addressed the “Unite the Right” protest under the guise that “many sides” were responsible for the violence that ensued. However, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) believes that the rally and the crime represent racism in its purest form.
Following the violent conclusion of the Charlottesville rally, Texas A&M has canceled their “White Lives Matter” rally which was scheduled for September 11th featuring white nationalist Richard Spencer. California Universities have been targets in the past for white nationalist rallies.
“The California Legislative Black Caucus stands against bigotry, divisive rhetoric, and complicity. We ask that the California universities and colleges remain united for peace, equality, and inclusion because there is power in diversity,” said Holden.
