Following a rally of hundreds of white supremacists and neo-Nazis, dozens of peaceful counter-protesters were injured and one person - Heather Heyer - was killed on August 12, 2017, when a white supremacist drove his car through a street crowded with human rights activists.

“One year ago, white supremacists and neo-Nazis launched a violent, deadly attack on people of conscience in Charlottesville who were peacefully protesting their bigotry,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “The horrific violence that occurred, and the murder of Heather Heyer, tragically reinforced the extent to which racism, anti-Black violence, anti-Semitism, bigotry and xenophobia continue to plague America. Today, we believe it is as important as ever for the LGBTQ community to loudly declare that the fight for racial justice and equity is inextricably bound to our fight for full equality. We must use our voices, our power and our energy to be good allies, fight white supremacy and be united against hate in all of its forms.”

This afternoon from 3-4pm, HRC will join the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and other civil rights organizations in a Twitter storm utilizing the hashtag #AgainstHate. Roberta Kaplan, the famed civil rights lawyer who has filed a lawsuit on behalf of 10 plaintiffs against the white supremacist rally organizers, will also take over HRC’s Twitter this afternoon at 2pm to provide an exclusive update on the lawsuit.

And on Saturday and Sunday, HRC’s social media will amplify messages from our staff, members and supporters on the importance of speaking out against racism, white supremacy and bigotry, and remaining united against hate.

HRC will continue to work in solidarity with communities of color, LGBTQ people of color and racial justice organizations to combat racism, both within the LGBTQ community and throughout society.

To learn more about HRC work on racial equity and inclusion, visit https://www.hrc.org/explore/topic/communities-of-color.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

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