Charlottesville confronts racism

Rallygoers say racial justice far from achieved

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Last year’s explosion of violence at a white nationalist rally on this city’s streets may have garnered national headlines, but counterprotesters say white supremacy existed in the community for years – and that can’t be ignored.

That was the message echoed Sunday as a few hundred activists, University of Virginia students and area residents converged on Booker T. Washington Park to mark the first anniversary of the deadly Unite the Right event.

The crowd sported shirts and signs that read “Black Lives Matter” and “C’ville Fights Back.” Some of the protesters burned sage to dispel negativity, a sharp contrast to last year’s torchburning march of white supremacists. They listened to speakers and chanted “Old Jim Crow, new Jim Crow, this racist system’s got to go.”

“White supremacy doesn’t just look like Nazis walking through the streets,” said rally participant Grace Aheron, 27.

Aheron said she took a lot of pride in the city’s ability to rebound.

“It’s not an easy day for most of us,” she said. “And for the spirit to be one of resilience and power and strength was incredibly empowering to me.”

Don Gathers, a member of the Black Lives Matter movement, told the crowd oppression and racism must be defeated – and the city held accountable.

“We cannot continue to let hate win,” he said. “It is imperative that each one of us get out there and do our part.”

Community activist Rosia Parker said the city “was built on the hands of black people.”

A year ago, the “Unite the Right” rally here ended in tragedy. A car slammed into a counterprotest, killing demonstrator Heather Heyer and injuring many more. A white supremacist is awaiting trial in the case.

Later in the day, a vigil was held for Heyer. Her mother, Susan Bro, spoke to the solemn crowd.

“There are mothers who lose their children all the time. And we don’t seem to give a damn,” Bro said to the crowd at the vigil. “We have a long way to go” in terms of racial justice.