Climate, Energy Hawks Join Coalition Response to Charlottesville Violence [Statement]

A broad coalition of U.S. environmental, public health, and public interest groups, including prominent African American and Latino organizations, were out Wednesday with a joint response to last weekend’s white nationalist gathering and violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, and Donald Trump’s tortured response to the incident. Energy Mix Productions is a Canadian-based non-profit, and we weren’t invited to sign on. But the world’s last experience with nazism showed that white nationalism knows no borders, so we are reprinting the statement, in full and in solidarity. – Editors

“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 behaviour of white nationalists is neither acceptable nor normal, and we will continue to stand in solidarity against such hatred and in defence 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 colour 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 every day 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 included an array of climate and energy organizations and publications, including 350.org, Alliance for Climate Education, Bold Alliance, California League of Conservation Voters, Care About Climate, Center for Biological Diversity, Center for International Environmental Law, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Clean Air Council, Climate Hawks Vote, Climate Nexus, Dogwood Alliance, Earthjustice, Earthworks, Environmental Defense Fund, EPCF—Climate Change Disruption, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace USA, League of Conservation Voters, Moms Clean Air Force, Natural Resources Defense Council, NextGen America, Noble Renewables Group of the West, Ocean Conservancy, Oceana, Our Climate, Peoples Climate Movement, Power Shift Network, Rainforest Action Network, Sierra Club, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, SustainUS, Union of Concerned Scientists, Virginia League of Conservation Voters.

Click through to the original story for the full list.