Joe Biden, Cynthia Nixon, Alyssa Milano, and others remember Heather Heyer
Politicians and celebrities took to their Twitter accounts on Sunday to honor the memory of Heather Heyer, sharing thanks for her fight against racism and bigotry, as well as pledges to continue the fight in her honor.
Former Vice President Joe Biden wrote, “Today we honor the memory of Heather Heyer, whose spirit we see in every person who stands up to reject hatred and bigotry.”
Today we honor the memory of Heather Heyer, whose spirit we see in every person who stands up to reject hatred and bigotry. Make no mistake: this fight goes on. The battle for the soul of this nation rests with each of us, everyday.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 12, 2018
Other elected officials across the country echoed Biden’s sentiments.
Remembering Heather Heyer today. Let us honor her memory by continuing her brave work. Stand up to hate. March in solidarity. Fight for peace and justice.https://t.co/i4udpYyr4g
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) August 12, 2018
A year ago, countless people were injured protesting white supremacy and Neo-Naziism in Charlottesville and and one person, Heather Heyer, was killed. Today, we honor Heather, and all who stood up to hate, by recommitting ourselves to fighting all forms of racism and bigotry.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) August 12, 2018
Today marks 1 yr since the tragic white supremacist rally in #Charlottesville, when Heather Heyer was killed. As her mother has shared, her legacy is a call to action. Last yr remains a profound reminder: we must remain vigilant & united in our efforts to defeat bigotry & hatred.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) August 12, 2018
Today I’m thinking about Heather Heyer, a patriot from Virginia murdered one year ago as she protested against white supremacy and hate.
Her voice, lost when she was much too young, continues to inspire action for justice.
“If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.” pic.twitter.com/483QTY5IRq
— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) August 12, 2018
On this somber anniversary, we remember Heather Heyer, Jay Cullen, and Berke Bates.
And we recommit ourselves to speaking out against hate and embracing true equality.#Charlottesville pic.twitter.com/fssF0jYh7B
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) August 12, 2018
Cynthia Nixon, who is running for governor in New York and who famously starred as Miranda in the Sex and the City series, wrote, “Heather Heyer was murdered for daring to stand up to a group of white supremacists that came together in Charlottesville to protest America’s greatest asset: our diversity.”
Exactly one year ago, Heather Heyer was murdered for daring to stand up to a group of white supremacists that came together in Charlottesville to protest America’s greatest asset: our diversity. I am thinking of her and her loved ones today.
— Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) August 12, 2018
Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., quoted Heyer’s mother.
“But it was a white woman, and people said, ‘Oh my god, it was a white woman, we must have a problem.’ We always had a problem. There’s a great divide.” ~Susan Bro, mother of #HeatherHeyer https://t.co/NcScTuK59r
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) August 12, 2018
Actor and activist Alyssa Milano also posted a tribute, as did activist Shaun King.
Rest In Peace, Heather. Today, my heart goes out to all who loved her.
With respect and gratitude.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) August 11, 2018
We live in the age of martyrs.
Like the 1960s, we live in a time where men and women standing up for racial justice are being murdered by white supremacists.
Heather Heyer was a white ally against racism & was murdered on this day one year ago. pic.twitter.com/yRl6tJBP3z
— Shaun King (@shaunking) August 12, 2018
Heyer will not soon be forgotten, if her mother, Susan Bro, has anything to say about it. She has spent the past year traveling around the country to promote the Heather Heyer Foundation, launched within days of her death, to carry on her daughter’s legacy of opposition to racism — and to help her cope with her horrifying loss.
She’s also attempting to carry on Heyer’s legacy by encouraging people to become active in the face of injustice. Speaking to Yahoo News, Bro quoted her daughter: “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.”
“We have to have a lot of difficult conversations with people that we would not normally want to have conversations with,” she says. “And be willing to listen to what they’re saying, think about it and then respond. You don’t need to respond immediately. You don’t need to respond with hate. You don’t need to respond defensively. You need to respond rationally, and I think that’s what’s gonna move the country forward.”
On Aug. 12, Bro is planning to lay flowers on the spot on Fourth Street where her daughter died. She’s also scheduled to speak at an NAACP event that evening.
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
One year later, Ivanka Trump marks anniversary of Charlottesville riots, and people aren’t having it
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