We are saddened by the tragic loss of life in Charlottesville and the display of hatred and bigotry by a small group of white nationalist and Nazi radicals. These people do not represent a vast majority of the people of the South.
The past few days have been tough for us all.
Let this challenging moment be a reminder of the deep and broad work that needs to be done every day to dismantle all forms of racism as we work to promote equity, justice, and a healthy planet. The struggles to protect our forests, rivers, water, air, and climate are not separate from the struggles for equality and peace.
We must work in solidarity.
It is in this spirit that today we proudly joined a broad coalition of environmental, public health and public interest groups, including prominent African American and Latinx organizations, to issue the following joint statement in response to this past weekend’s white nationalist gathering and violence in Charlottesville, Virginia:
Our nation witnessed tragic, despicable and completely unnecessary violence in Charlottesville this past weekend. Driven by hatred and racism, these white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups and their actions do not represent our values, nor the values of the vast majority of Americans. We also remember the life of Heather Heyer and commit to continuing the struggle she died for.
The behavior of white nationalists is neither acceptable nor normal and we will continue to stand in solidarity against such hatred and in defense of the rights and safety of communities across the country like Charlottesville. We will not tolerate any form of hatred or discrimination and will align ourselves with communities of color and creeds that are the target of ongoing bigotry.
We call on our political leaders to condemn these acts not just today, but every time they happen. President Trump and all political leaders, no matter their party affiliation, have an obligation to stand up against such hate groups immediately and unequivocally. Their voices and words — and lack thereof — matter.
The tragic events in Charlottesville fall on our shoulders as a nation. No one who stands for justice, equality, and human dignity can stay silent any longer. We will stand unified against the white nationalist movement that everyday threatens America’s people and ideals, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all. We will ultimately prevail by countering this hate with love.
Signatories
17 for Peace and Justice
350.org
African American Nature and Parks Experience
Alaska Wilderness League
Alliance for Climate Education (ACE)
Audubon Naturalist Society
Austin 2030 District
Azul
Be The Change -USA
Black permaculture network
Bold Alliance
California League of Conservation Voters
Care About Climate
Center for Biological Diversity
Center for Diversity & the Environment
Center for International Environmental Law
Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN)
Chispa
Citizens’ Climate Lobby
Clean Air Council
Climate Hawks Vote
Climate Nexus
Coalition Center for Popular Democracy
Defend Our Future
Defenders of Wildlife
Diverse Environmental Leaders Speakers Bureau
Dogwood Alliance
Dynamic Aptitude
Earthjustice
Earthworks
Endangered Species Coalition
Environmental Defense Fund
Environmental Leadership Program
EPCF – Climate Change Disruption
Food & Water Watch
Friends of Organ Mountains Desert Peaks
Friends of the Earth
Green 2.0
Green For All
GreenFaith
GreenLatinos
Greenpeace USA
Greensgrow
Hip Hop Caucus
Hispanic Access Foundation
Hispanic Federation
IDEASForUs
Imagine Power LLC
Institute for Sustainable Communities
Institute for Sutainable Urban Transformation
Interfaith Power & Light
International Mayan League
La Union Hace La Fuerza
Latino Victory Project
League of Conservation Voters
League of United Latin American Citizens
Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA)
Maine Conservation Voters
Mi Familia Vota
Moms Clean Air Force
Mount Moriah FBH Church
Mt Eastern Joy, LLC
National Hispanic Medical Association
National Ocean Protection
National Parks Conservation Association
Natural Resources Defense Council
NCLR Action Fund
Network for Sustainable Financial Markets
NextGen America
Noble Renewables Group of the West
North American Students of Cooperation (NASCO)
Ocean Conservancy
Oceana
Our Climate
Outdoor Afro
Peoples Climate Movement
Physicians for Social Responsibility
Population Connection
Power Shift Network
Public Citizen
Rachel Carson Council
Rachel’s Network
Radiance Studios LLC
Rainforest Action Network
Roosevelt Institute
Rural Coalition
Sachamama
Save EPA
Sierra Club
Sierra Club Virginia Chapter
Sunrise
Sustainable Agricultural Education Association
Sustainable Practices
SustainUS
The Environmental Justice Center at Chestnut Hill United Church
The Evangelical Environmental Network
The Farmworker Association of Florida, Inc
The Joy Trip Project
The Praxis Project
The Trail Posse
The Wilderness Society
Toxics Action Center
Union of Concerned Scientists
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Virginia Interfaith Power & Light
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
Voces Verdes
Voices for Progress
Voto Latino
Waterkeeper Alliance
WE ACT for Environmental Justice
