Letter: Room for everyone to counter racist fascists

Graphic by Lori Deaton

The article [on] the Mountain Xpress [website, “Community Turns Out for Charlottesville Solidarity Rally at Pack Square,” Aug. 14] doesn’t reflect my experience at the rally on [Aug. 13] night. I haven’t been to many protests, but this felt far from a riot.

Sometimes love is a chant of resistance. Because revolution isn’t a selfish act. Because putting one’s body between neo-Nazis and clergy (http://avl.mx/414) is the right thing to do.

Because being the first on the scene to deliver aid, while the police send in tanks and weapons pointed at the dying, is intensely courageous. (The tanks [in Charlottesville] arrived before the ambulance — let me be very clear.)

I can’t imagine, in a town where the police shot and killed Jerry Williams in the street, why anyone might feel police are unwelcome at an anti-racist rally.

Taking the streets is a demonstration of solidarity. When police corral protesters behind their lines and cars, they are saying to the flag-waving, overly compensating, engine-revers that the protesters are the problem, to be caged in. They give space for the Trump trucks to own the streets.

But whose streets are these? (Our streets!)

No one has more legitimacy to claim this rally than anyone else. Neo-Nazis killed a member of the Industrial Workers of the World, a radical union that seeks to unionize all elements of the working class except the police — an organization founded by anarchists (although ascribing to no political philosophy as an organization now). What I’ve read is that Heather [Heyer] was a Social Democrat, and my understanding is that she died walking alongside comrades from all across the spectrum of the left.

The anarchists I saw at the [Asheville] rally spent a considerable amount of effort advocating that everyone has a different way of mourning and combating neo-Nazi violence (despite the fact that anarchists who were present at the crash were prevented from speaking here).

I don’t know Heather Heyer, but it seems that she was not on the sidelines lighting candles and singing to the alt-right. Light candles for her. Hold hands and remember her name. But let the Antifa take the streets and show solidarity for her, too. There’s room for everyone to counter racist fascists in this town.

— Charlotte Taylor
Asheville

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Letters
We want to hear from you! Send your letters and commentary to letters@mountainx.com

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

3 thoughts on “Letter: Room for everyone to counter racist fascists

  1. John Penley

    Just asking not saying he is one but, do you think Trump and his defender Carl Mumpower are Nazi or KKK sympathizers ? I actually was in Charlottesville and that might be classified as a riot. Calling what happened in Asheville a “riot” is just plain stupid or something a Nazi KKK sympathizer might say to get attention and blame the Victim Heather Heyer for her murder which the Nazi KKK Unite The Right organizers are doing now.

  2. randy0302

    Charlottseville Unite the right leader Jason Kessler was 8 year Obama supporter who turned “White Supremacist” On Trump election day. Ohh, and a contributing editor to CNN.
    Brennan Gilmore eye witness caught the driver on video? Ok but Brennan worked in Africa for the US State dept under Hillary. Really. Currently chief of staff for candidate for Governor (VA).
    I’m sure this article is just paid propaganda but for anyone engaged in critical thinking out there. When you see images of Nazis saying death to Jews on CNN who benefits? Always ask what do “they” want me to think? What’s the programming?
    Bonus: What is a Nationalist? Someone who loves their Nation. What is a Globalist. Someone who wants to end National Sovereignty and move to Global control. Which are you? This is real…. and the only battle. President Trump and President Putin are nationalist. They can stop Globalism. Globalist are loosing , panicking and dying.
    Double bonus: Russia has 11 time zones largest land mass on planet earth. President Putin has completely banned Monsanto and GMO’s in Russia. He loves his people and cares for them. Are you a Globalist are you with Monsanto…………here take the Red pill. Peace. Americans unite against globalism it will be over soon,

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.