Haverford condemns racist violence in Charlottesville
HAVERFORD » The board of commissioners became first in Delaware County to take official action concerning events that unfolded in Charlottesville, Va., over the weekend.
The board voted unanimously Monday to issue a proclamation “strongly condemning the violence, neo-Nazi, racist, and antiSemitic symbols and language used by some of the participants” in a white supremacist rally, organized as protest against plans to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from a city park.
Members of alt-right groups wore swastikas, carried torches, chanted Nazi slogans and clashed violently with counter-protesters.
The widely reported event turned tragic when a car slammed through a crowd of counter-protesters, injuring 19 and taking the life of 32-year-old Heather Heyer.
Democratic Commissioner Dan Siegel composed and introduced the proclamation, noting that he drew from a statement by the U.S. Holocaust Museum and a resolution the U.S. Senate passed unanimously in April.
Republican Mario Oliva seconded Siegel’s motion.
The proclamation states that commissioners mourn the loss of life in Charlottesville. In addition to denouncing recent incidences of racism and bigotry witnessed in Virginia and elsewhere, the board affirms “that Haverford stands united in condemning hate and evil in all forms,” further rejecting “hate-motivated crime as an attack on the fabric of U.S. society and ideals of pluralism and respect.”
Also condemned are “any other form of racism, religious or ethnic bias, discrimination, incitement to violence, or animus targeting a minority in the United States.”
The proclamation calls for federal, state and local law enforcement officials to work together with the goal of “expeditiously investigating all credible reports of hate crimes, incidents and threats against minorities in the U.S.,” holding perpetrators accountable and bringing them to justice.
Siegel said the proclamation is intended to serve as a statement that “our values do not condone or support racist and ethnic violence we’ve seen in Charlottesville … and that we as a community will not tolerate such conduct here.”
During discussion, Oliva said ethnic bias and discrimination are issues he holds dear because his father came to this country from Cuba to escape persecution for his religious and political beliefs.
“He loved the freedom that was here … He spent eight years working underground to get out of Cuba,” Oliva said.
Commissioner Larry Holmes recalled that seven years ago the board adopted an anti-discrimination ordinance protecting rights of the LGBT community.
“It’s terrible for the people of Charlottesville who were invaded by these people. I would suggest that those of us in Havertown, if we ever find ourselves facing these goose-stepping morons in neo-Nazi outfits, or these cowardly racists wearing white hoods, that we stand in front of them … and say they have no home here.”
Sheryl Forste-Grupp, a resident, said during public forum that she attended a gathering at Linwood Park in Ardmore where participants held a speakin about “why we don’t represent hate, bigotry, antiSemitism or Nazi ideals. It was powerful time for everyone to come together and say we don’t support this, we’re against hatred,” she said.
Forste-Grupp then urged commissioners to take a leadership role by sending a letter to Charlottesville and issuing a proclamation opposing these extremist attitudes.
Board President Chris Connell said the proclamation will be sent to Haverford’s federal and state legislators, the United States Congress, Harrisburg, the White House and city of Charlottesville. He suggested having it posted in the township building as well.