We are horrified by today’s violent acts in Charlottesville, Virginia. There are no ‘both sides’ here. Our nation’s leadership has intentionally appointed, promoted and empowered people with unabashed white supremacist and neo-Nazi stances.
The groundwork for what we see today has been laid for centuries with the dehumanization of black people, Jewish people, Muslim people, women, LGBTQIA people, indigenous people and all vulnerable people. Today we see this hatred, racism and bigotry rise in boldness because it is being affirmed by our highest office.
Since our founding, the mission of the Women’s March has been uniting women, our families, and our allies across differences, to struggle for an America that represents and protects us all.
We must call these acts what they are: terrorism. Our condolences are with the families of the innocent victims who were injured and killed. With heavy hearts, we raise our fists in the air and pledge to keep building an America where protecting the most marginalized among us is protecting us all.
Women’s March Illinois, Indivisible Illinois, and several other community organizations are coming together, to stand in solidarity with Charlottesville. We are calling on our friends, our community to join us for a vigil to mourn the death of the young woman who lost her life to the car attack at the Charlottesville counter protests today, and the victims who’ve been brutally injured by this attack. We also hope that we can come together as a community to heal, to reaffirm our commitment to protecting each other’s lives, to defending each other’s rights and freedoms, and to continue our struggle for an America that loves and welcomes us all.
We will be adding details of partnering organizations as details are finalized.
Please spread the word and join us! If you or your organization want to partner with us for this vigil, please reach out to us.
Community Partners:
Women’s March Illinois
Indivisible Illinois
Indivisible Chicago
Friends Who March
Black Lives Matter Women Of Faith
Suburban Unity Alliance
Planned Parenthood of Illinois