The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs condemns the violence of white supremacist groups in Charlottesville, Virginia and mourns the loss of Heather Heyer, who was killed while taking a stand against vitriolic hate.
In this moment, our nation is witnessing the emboldening of white supremacist movements, which have always existed, but are being empowered, amplified, and enabled by the Trump Administration. We call on everyone, but particularly white LGBTQ people, to call out and resist these vile movements and every hateful action the administration takes that deepens inequities and places marginalized groups at risk of further violence.
NCAVP is deeply familiar with the impact of hate violence. Each year, thousands of LGBTQ and HIV affected people reach out to NCAVP member programs after experiencing violence rooted in bias and hate. We continuously find that the majority of LGBTQ people reporting hate violence are people who hold multiple marginalized identities: LGBTQ people of color, LGBTQ people with disabilities, LGBTQ immigrants, and others. Sometimes the violence is physical, and sometimes it looks like day-to-day bias and harassment that LGBTQ people experience from co-workers, landlords, neighbors and classmates.
Since the election of President Trump, we have seen an increase in hotline calls and an increase in people reporting violence and seeking care and support. We have heard from countless people who have lived their entire lives fearful of experiencing violence based on their identities and experiences, only to have those feelings of fear heightened in recent months. The events in Charlottesville this weekend validated those fears, clearly demonstrating the escalating violence and terror that white supremacist groups are using under this administration in an attempt to maintain their power throughout the country.
Our systems and laws were intentionally created to give white people power and access to resources over people of color, and violence is often used as a tool to maintain that power. The events in Charlottesville did not occur in isolation, but rather were an extension of the violence that we witness every day that is deeply rooted in our society. NCAVP is committed to recognizing historical systems of oppression, such as anti-black racism, anti-Semitism, patriarchy, islamophobia, and xenophobia, in all of our anti-violence work and stand in solidarity with all movements to end white supremacy.
The events of the weekend have only served to further our commitment toward working for the liberation and self-determination of all people impacted by oppression and violence. We will continue to call out any legislators, Trump, and members of his administration who use hateful rhetoric to push forward their agenda and we will hold them accountable for any violence that ensues. We will continue to fight against any roll backs of protections for LGBTQ people, people of color, immigrant communities and any marginalized group. And we will continue to resist and work to dismantle white supremacy following the leadership of those most marginalized.
NCAVP is a resource for anyone who experiences violence. For more information, or to locate an anti-violence program in your area, please contact us at info@ncavp.org or visit us online. Join NCAVP in our efforts to prevent and respond to LGBTQ and HIV-affected violence. To learn more about our national advocacy and receive technical assistance or support, contact us at info@ncavp.org.