- Opinion
- 14 Aug 17
This weekend in Charlottesville, one person was killed and others injured when a driver intentionally plowed into a crowd of counter-protesters who were there against a Unite the Right rally. Following the tragic events, people have been taking to social media to condemn the violence at the rally, as well as Donald Trump's apparent refusal to acknowledge violence from the alt-right, as he instead told reporters it came "from many sides." Former Vice President Joe Biden responded to this statement with a succinct tweet:
There is only one side. #charlottesville
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 12, 2017
No. Not in America. We must be stronger, more determined and more united than ever. Racism and hate have no place here. #charlottesville
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 12, 2017
Actors and musicians alike took the opportunity to remind everyone that extreme racism is alive in the White House, not just the streets of Charlottesville, as the hashtag #FireBannon began to trend on Twitter:
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Let's begin to Stop White Supremacy, Neo Nazis and KKK where they feel most welcome, the White House. #FireBannon #Charlottesville
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) August 13, 2017
We have nazi sympathizers and white nationalists in the White House. Condemn them too. They should not be receiving taxpayer money.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 12, 2017
White Supremacy has no place in America. Let's start with the White House. #FireBannon
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 13, 2017
Yeah, we're not coming together with Nazis. Sincerely, America #FireBannon https://t.co/DVEQHd50o3
— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) August 14, 2017
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— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) August 13, 2017
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Dave Matthews Band, a group that got its start in Charlottesville back in the nineties, released a statement from the full band, expressing their disgust at "the acts of racist, hate-filled terrorism in our hometown this weekend."
"Like so many our hearts are broken. Our thoughts go out to the families and victims of these unbelievable acts. This is not the Charlottesville we know and love," the band continued. "This town has grown from its sometimes great but often difficult history and is marching toward an inclusive future. This murderous act and those who incited it are not what we aspire to be. We will work tirelessly, hand-in-hand with our community to help one another so we can all heal from this sickening display of horror. Hate speech disguised as free speech is cowardly and shameful. Such speech gives permission to the murderous crimes we witnessed today. There is nothing pure, acceptable, or philosophical about Nazism, or racism masked as heritage."
New Zealand native Lorde offered international solidarity:
i just want to say i'm so, so sorry. all white people are responsible for this system's thrive and fall. we have to do better. i'm sorry
— Lorde (@lorde) August 13, 2017
As for Trump, he did his best to tweet a message of American unity, and even actually used the word "sad" to express actual sadness:
We ALL must be united & condemn all that hate stands for. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. Lets come together as one!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2017
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Am in Bedminster for meetings & press conference on V.A. & all that we have done, and are doing, to make it better-but Charlottesville sad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2017