We originally called a press conference this morning because there was going to be a bond hearing for a domestic terrorist. Although the public hearing was cancelled, we persisted in speaking out.
Whatever happens with that case, it will not bring back Heather Heyer. It will not heal the bones that were broken. It will not resolve the post-traumatic flashbacks of the community members present at the attack.
What we really needed was to prevent this attack in the first place.
And we tried. We tried. Charlottesville community members have been working for months to address the growing threat of white supremacist violence in our city. They have used multiple strategies -- from directly confronting local white supremacists themselves, to marching in the streets, to presenting evidence at City Council -- trying to stop the August 12 “Unite the Right” March on Charlottesville terrorist attack from occurring. This is leadership. This is community defense.
These are the people we need to honor.
But instead of honoring them, do you know what the city has done? Do you know what the Charlottesville Police Department has done, what the Commonwealth’s attorney is doing?
Charging them in court.
These are the people who knew that Jason Kessler was dangerous before many people in Charlottesville knew his name. These are the people who have been teaching Charlottesville residents that we do not have to tolerate racist harassers on the downtown mall. These are the people who warned us. These are the people who protected us.
Drop the charges.
It’s as simple as that. Maybe now that the events of August 12 have transpired, now that someone has been killed, now that dozens have been injured and hundreds traumatized, maybe now there has been enough damage done that we can actually turn the tide of history and restore freedom and integrity to the people who most deserve it.
Drop the charges.
Drop the charges so that you are no longer colluding with Nazis. Drop the charges so that these heroes can continue the essential work of community defense. Drop the charges because you’re so sorry you didn’t listen to them when they warned you. Drop the charges because the nation is watching.
The demand to drop the charges against Veronica Fitzhugh was first presented by Solidarity Cville at the July 8 protest of the KKK. Mike Signer responded by saying he is not the person responsible for dropping the charges. We call on ALL of Charlottesville -- residents, lay leaders, and political figureheads -- to join us in this demand to drop the charges.
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Drop all charges against community leader Veronica Fitzhugh
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Drop all charges against the 22 people arrested protesting the KKK on July 8, and the 5 people arrested resisting white supremacists on August 12
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Drop the charges against the 3 people dragged out of the last City Council meeting as the community took over
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And drop the charges against Jeff Fogel
To Mike Signer and all of city council -- join us in this demand to drop the charges.
To each candidate for public office -- join us in this demand to drop the charges.
To the Clergy Collective and all religious leaders -- join us in this demand to drop the charges.
To Together Cville, Indivisible Cville, and all political organizers -- join us in this demand to drop the charges.
To our supporters from across Virginia and around the world -- join us in this demand to drop the charges.
And of course, to the Commonwealth Attorney Dave Chapman -- drop the charges. Drop ALL the charges. You know it is the right thing to do.
***Call the office of Commonwealth Attorney Dave Chapman at 434-970-3176***
We will persist, in solidarity with Veronica. with deep gratitude for her leadership, and with fierce love for her and for our community. We will keep fighting.